Tweed River Jockey Club will host their inaugural Ladies Day in Murwillumbah on Sunday, and John Shelton will present the omen bet of the day, with Lady Tulessa sure to have plenty of admirers in the opening event, the 1010m Country Boosted Benchmark 58 Handicap.
With Ben Looker in the saddle, punters will be drawn to the in-form Grafton galloper, which returned from a 22-week spell with placings at Armidale and Coffs Harbour earlier this month.
“I suppose she is,” Shelton laughed when asked if Lady Tulessa was the omen bet on Sunday.
The rising six-year-old has started 23 times for three wins and eight minor placings and is third-up at Murwillumbah.
First-up at Armidale on June 6, she wasn’t beaten far in the 1100m Benchmark 58 Handicap when finishing third to eight-time winner Heredero from the Jane Clement yard.
At Coffs Harbour on June 16, there was money about for Lady Tulessa, and she finished second and went down by a length to the Brad Munro-trained Wanjina Rose.
She’s drawn seven of eight at Murwillumbah and will carry 59.5kg.
“The only worry is that she has drawn a sticky gate,” Shelton said.
“Her last runs have been good; she’s no champion, but she’s honest, and she should go well for her owners.”
Looker, who has ridden her in both races this preparation, was slightly more confident of Lady Tulessa’s chances.
“Her runs have been really good,” Looker said.
“She had to work from a wide draw first-up at Armidale and was only run down in the last 10 metres.
“At Coffs Harbour, she gave away a lot of weight to the winner, but I thought she ran really well.”
A speedy type, the Hidden Dragon mare typically finds the front, and Looker insisted that the wide draw was a good thing in the small field.
“She’s drawn seven out of eight, but I reckon it is a better draw for her,” Looker said.
“She’s had issues with jumping, but she has been jumping well of late, and touch wood, she can begin well again, and if she does, we can take our time going forward, and I won’t have to bust her to find the front.
“It’s a big plus going forward at Murwillumbah, and if she can find the front, she’ll go well.”
Stunning weather has blessed the Northern Rivers in recent days, and despite most of the state battling rain and cold conditions, Murwillumbah is forecast to have a high of 26 degrees and will be racing on a good 4 surface.
The seven-race card kicks off at 12.16pm, and for more on the race day, click here.
For fields, click here.
NSW Country and Picnic Racing tips for Murwillumbah
Race 1: 5 Lady Tulessa $5
Race 2: 1 Al Ash Lad $3
Race 3: 3 Scenic Rim $7
Race 4: 6 Burdekin $7
Race 5: 1 Enterprise Legend $5 (Best Bet)
Race 6: 7 Shesabomb $4.20
Race 7: 2 Dubai Nights $12 (Best Value)
