Country gallopers from across the state will converge on Royal Randwick on Saturday for the running of the $2 million country-only The Kosciuszko.
NSW Country and Picnic racing Editor Jeff Hanson has run his eye over the stellar field and has commented on each runner’s chances in the 1200m feature sprint.
1. Art Cadeau
Trainer: Terry Robinson
Jockey: Damian Lane
Record: 20:7-8
TAB price: $11
Summary: The defending champion draws nicely with gate three and he rediscovered his best form last preparation, winning the Octagonal over 1400m back in May.
There are some question marks as to whether the six-year-old is going as well as last year, but if he finds his best form, he will take some beating.
2. Handle The Truth
Trainer: Keith Dryden
Jockey: Nash Rawiller
Record: 36:9-9
TAB price: $7.50
Summary: An absolute champion country galloper that will be running in his fourth Kosciuszko.
Handle The Truth won in 2019, finished fourth to It’s Me in 2020, and finished second to Art Cadeau last year.
The seven-year-old ran a good third to Eduardo two starts back in the Concorde Stakes, and there is no doubting Keith Dryden will have him ready for this event.
3. Front Page
Trainer: Geoff Duryea
Jockey: Tyler Schiller
Record: 13:5-3
TAB price: $5
Summary: The Corowa galloper has had no luck in recent seasons and has either been a late scratching or withdrawal from both The Kosciuszko and Country Championships.
The six-year-old won the Wagga Town Plate last preparation, defeating Mnementh and Another One.
He is a talented sprinter and he gets a good draw as connections chase some good luck and a deserved feature-race win.
4. Mnementh
Trainer: Mitchell Beer
Jockey: Chad Schofield
Record: 23:7-7
TAB price: $23
Summary: One of the first picked for his Albury trainer Mitch Beer and the six-year-old deserves his chance.
A seven-time winner and proven city winner that knows how to get the job done, but gate 12 isn’t a kind draw for connections.
5. Another One
Trainer: Gary Colvin
Jockey: William Pike
Record: 16:6-5
TAB price: $19
Summary: The Country Championship winner and pride of the Southern Districts comes into this race following two good trial wins.
The five-year-old has been on the drift in the markets despite drawing gate one and attracting the services of William Pike, but if he is fit and firing, he is more than capable at good odds.
6. Far Too Easy
Trainer: David McColm
Jockey: James Orman
Record: 11:6-1
TAB price: $5.50
Summary: Not many trainers deserve a feature race win more than David McColm.
The Murwillumbah trainer had to deal with the floods earlier this year and Far Too Easy has been the stable’s bright spot.
A last-start win over 1100m at the Gold Coast suggests the four-year-old will be up for the race, but I question whether he is a year away from his best form.
7. Fender
Trainer: Brett Cavanough
Jockey: Sam Clipperton
Record: 23:6-4
TAB price: $23
Summary: The first of the two Brett Cavanough runners. The six-year-old has been racing in good races of late without winning, but this race is another step up and it might be a tough job from gate 14.
8. It’s Me
Trainer: Brett Cavanough
Jockey: James McDonald
Record: 9:5-0
TAB price: $4
Summary: The race-favourite and past winner of The Kosciuszko.
The second of Brett Cavanough’s runners. It’s Me was a strong winner in 2020 before being withdrawn in the lead-up to Art Cadeau’s win in 2021.
The six-year-old has a motor and she proved that she was back to her best form, winning at Eagle Farm back in August before running a good fourth in the Group 2 Sheraco Stakes last month.
9. Cavalier Charles
Trainer: Matthew Dale
Jockey: Nick Heywood
Record: 13:5-4
TAB price: $41
Summary: One of the roughies in the race.
Nick Heywood jumps aboard, and he will be looking to win a feature-race double after helping Another One to Country Championships glory back in April.
This is a tough race though, and the Canberra runner might be a little bit off the mark.
10. Anethole
Trainer: Cody Morgan
Jockey: Tom Sherry
Record: 19:4-7
TAB price: $11
Summary: The first of Cody Morgan’s trio and the one punters like the most.
He finished sixth in the Country Championships after winning the Hunter North West qualifier last preparation but some of his best efforts have been over 1200m and he looks to be a thereabouts chance.
The Tamworth galloper wasn’t disgraced when finishing eighth and beaten 4.67 lengths by Nature Strip in The Shorts last start and a similar effort would see him go close here.
11. Spiranac
Trainer: Rodney Northam
Jockey: Reece Jones
Record: 17:6-4
TAB price: $21
Summary: Possible one of the better value bets.
The Scone mare won the Bathurst Panorama last prep before flashing late to run third to Art Cadeau in the 2021 The Kosciuszko.
She resumed last start in town, again flashing late to finish third to Fox Fighter and if she gets a good run on Saturday, she could finish close again.
12. Commando Hunt
Trainer: Cameron Crockett
Jockey: Kerrin McEvoy
Record: 17:3-7
TAB price: $23
Summary: Definitely one of the more consistent gallopers in Country NSW.
The Scone galloper caught the eye when finishing second to Anethole in the Country Championships qualifier at Tamworth in March before a fast-finishing second to Another One in the Royal Randwick final in April.
Since returning from a spell, the five-year-old has finished third in the Dubbo Flying Handicap and Tamworth Spring Cup and he looks to be ready for another big run for connections.
13. Talbragar
Trainer: Cody Morgan
Jockey: Hugh Bowman
Record: 3:3-0
TAB price: $34
Summary: The only unbeaten galloper in the field.
The five-year-old is only lightly-raced and boasts country form after wins at Narromine and Tamworth (twice), but there has been big wraps on him for some time and he will get every chance to show off his ability in this strong field.
14. Le Melody
Trainer: Cody Morgan
Jockey: Rachel King
Record: 5:3-1
TAB price: $26
Summary: The last of the Cody Morgan runners and the bottom weight with 53kg.
Again, this mare only boasts country form after wins at Muswellbrook and Tamworth (twice) this year and this is a big step up.
If the Scone gallopers continues improving, she will be thereabouts next year, but she might be a bit off the mark on Saturday.
Emergencies
15. Irish Songs
Trainer: Kurt Goldman
Jockey: N/A
Record: 48:6-11
TAB price: $51
Summary: Veteran campaigner who has contested two Kosciuszko’s.
He finished fourth in this race last year behind Art Cadeau and eighth back in 2020 behind It’s Me.
The seven-year-old won the National Sprint in Canberra earlier this year and he is capable at his best.
16. Ten Bells
Trainer: Scott Collings
Jockey: N/A
Record: 9:5-0
TAB price: $41
Summary: An up-and-coming type that will surely be in the mix next year. Only lightly raced but she is a proven city winner and mud runner, and she will put in a good effort if she gains a start.
17. Testator Silens
Trainer: Luke Clarke
Jockey: N/A
Record: 7:5-1
TAB price: $81
Summary: Arguably one of the unluckiest reserves, with this Braidwood galloper certainly capable in this field. The five-year-old wasn’t disgraced when finishing seventh in the Country Championships and he can give this a shake if he gains a start.
18. Know Where To Look
Trainer: Roy McCabe
Jockey: N/A
Record: 23:4-4
TAB price: $151
Summary: Solid country galloper but this is a huge step up in class if she is lucky enough to gain a start.
