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For Toowoomba trainer Jayden Sims, a trip back to Tabulam is a trip back home.
Born in South Australia, Sims grew up in Tabulam and Alstonville before heading north of the border to break in, pre-train, and train gallopers on his property near Toowoomba.
On Saturday, Sims will head home, making the three-and-a-half-hour trip into New South Wales, and he hopes to win a race or two when starting three chances on the annual Tabulam program.
“That’s where I first lived in New South Wales, and dad lived there breaking and training horses, and then we grew up in Alstonville,” Sims said.
“It would be good to get back there and win the cup.
“It is a good day, and they come from everywhere: Casino, Lismore, and all around.
“Not that I do it anymore, but if you love to party and race horses, it’s a day not to be missed; it’s not as big as Birdsville or anything like that, but it’s one to tick off the bucket list.”
The $13,000 Tabulam Cup will headline the five-race non-TAB program, and Sims will start his stable’s new addition, Ascot Road.
The Hampton Court gelding previously raced in Victoria, starting eight times for two wins after notching victories at Murtoa (1600m) and Kerang (1800m) last year.
After being sold, the five-year-old went to Brendon Hearps and then Brett Dodson but didn’t measure up before Sally Taylor eventually organised for him to head to Sims’ Toowoomba-based team.
“I actually got him given to me six or eight weeks ago because he didn’t cut it, and the owners didn’t want to go to Sky Two meetings, and well, I like travelling to these bush meetings,” Sims said.
“Plus, with the staying races in Queensland at the moment, they are a pretty poor calibre of horse, so I said I’ll take him.”
Ascot Road hasn’t set the world on fire at home, but Sims predicts a solid first-up run at Tabulam.
“He’s got a lot of improvement in him, but we train off a farm and go to the track for gallops, but he is a pretty happy horse and feeling good,” Sims said.
“I jumped him out with other horses the other day at Toowoomba, and he went fair against sprinters, and without knowing the horse too well, I’d say that is his usual effort.
“His coat is a fortnight away from looking enormous, and he hasn’t blown me away, but I’d be disappointed if he didn’t run top three.”
Landan Sykes will take the ride on Ascot Road from gate three, with his two-kilogram claim meaning the Queenslander will carry the top weight of 59kg.
Sykes will also ride the Sims-trained Juhayna (gate 7) in the 1000m Maiden Handicap, and Courtney Bellamy jumps aboard Super Exceptional (gate 1) in the 1000m Class Two Handicap.
Sims believes Super Exceptional will take some beating if she runs out the five furlongs.
“That little filly in the Class Two, if she can run the 1000m, she’ll be hard to beat,” Sims said.
“She is proper fast and very quick; she came out of the barrier a bit funny at Gatton the other day and missed it, but she only knows one speed.”
A huge crowd is expected at Tabulam on Saturday, with racing, entertainment, and fashions on the field set to keep everyone entertained.
Fashions on the Field events start straight after race two at 2 p.m. in front of the winning post, and for more on the race day, click here.
For fields, click here.
