Lea Selby has her sights set on a third consecutive victory with Set To Prophet, who is racing in sensational form.
The Armidale trainer will trek to Tamworth, with her 7YO Extreme Choice gelding going around in the 1200m Benchmark 50 Handicap following back-to-back wins on his home track.
Racing in career-best form, six-time winner Set To Prophet (Scott Sweedman, $4.40) had placed at Inverell and Scone in the lead-up to a fashionable victory in the 1400m Benchmark 58 Handicap at Armidale on December 7.
Six weeks later, Set To Prophet (Emily Farr, $4.20) stepped up in class at Armidale and was again too good for his rivals.
Selby had options and scratched her galloper from the 1200m Benchmark 58 Handicap at Scone on Thursday, opting to run in the lower-grade event at Tamworth.
The Armidale galloper will be tested, though, with the handicapper allotting Set To Prophet a mammoth 65.5kg, which is made a little better with Tilly McCarroll on board with her two-kilogram claim.
Connection drew softly with gate three, and bookmakers kept him safe as the opening $2.80 favourite.
Selby has two good chances on the Tamworth program, also starting Tycoon Lad (Tilly McCarroll, 57.5kg) in the 1600m Benchmark 50 Handicap.
Thereabouts in recent starts, the 5YO Written Tycoon gelding has been taking on stronger company, and last time out, finished fourth when beaten only 2.3 lengths in a 1400m Benchmark 66 Handicap.
The four-time winner has a good record at this track/distance (3:1-1-0), and his best form is typically reserved for this grade of race.
Due to the warm weather, the Tamworth meeting will kick off early on Saturday, with the first race jumping at 9.54 am.
Tamworth tips – Saturday, January 31
Race 1: Gamolina ($3.10)
Race 2: Meddlesome ($5.50)
Race 3: Namara ($3.80)
Race 4: Gold Smiles ($5.50)
Race 5: Enchanted World ($3.20)
Race 6: Tycoon Lad ($7.50)
