Local trainer Colt Prosser is launching a two-pronged attack to snare his third Hastings Co-op Wauchope Woop Woop Cup (1800m) at Wauchope Jockey Club’s Beechwood Road track on Boxing Day.
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He has entrusted the battle to two local jockeys, Belinda Hodder, and comeback apprentice Mollie Partridge.
Hodder was on Rigamarole for Prosser when winning in 2013 and 2014 and was also on Lord Averil for Prosser’s father, Grant, when winning the cup in 2015 and 2016.
She will be on five-year-old gelding Sunsout Shirtsoff which three starts back recorded its first win over 1900m at Kempsey on August 25.
The galloper’s last race ended with an 11th over an unsuitable 1300m at Coffs Harbour on December 13.
Prosser said Sunsout Shirtsoff had trained on well since and Hodder in trackwork reckoned the 1800m of the cup is more suitable.
“The horse is a stayer and will show this with more racing,” he said.
Friends of former Newcastle jockey Dale Spriggs bought the galloper for $200 and recommended that Prosser train it.
Partridge’s 1.5kgs claim brings six-year-old mare Raining On Sunday right into calculations, it having won two races, one at the track over 1240m in 2016 and the other at Taree over 1600m on when it beat the well-credentialled Sniponet which was in good form then for Taree trainer Wayne Wilkes.
Part-owner Peter Coulon, on the committee of the race club, said after the win at Taree that he would like the galloper to score in the cup.
Prosser has his fingers crossed that rain doesn’t dampen the track as Raining On Sunday “needs a real hard track.
“She is going good and should have no trouble with the distance.”
Prosser is probably the favourite to win the club’s $1000 offer to the trainer with the most points accumulated at the five-race meeting.
His other hopes are evergreen sprinter Alpine Dragon, Metre Eater, Achilles Pride and Miss Mac.
Port Macquarie trainer Tas Morton hasn’t conceded defeat in the cup as he believes he can win it with five-year-old mare Komachi Force, to be ridden by in-form Port apprentice Cejay Graham.
“She was flattened at the start at Tuncurry (December 10), was wide, and the run can be forgotten,” he said.
“This should be a stepping stone for her as I am most likely to take her to Royal Randwick for a Highway race on January 12.
“She is a work in progress and the more she matures, the better she will get.
“She is bred to run 2000m and I think she will win the cup.”
Wauchope Jockey Club has a novel raffle and cash incentives to add glamour and more interest in its century old Woop Woop Cup race meeting.
The club is offering $1000 to each of the leading winning jockey and trainer on the day on a points system for wins and placings.
President of the race club, Greg Partridge, said $5 raffle tickets are being sold in a type of Calcutta on the $9000 cup over 1800m where lucky holders drawn just before the event will get a starter in the cup and will be eligible for a minimum of $700 for first, $200 for second and $100 for third.
“If the pool is higher, the prizes for the first three horses past the post in the cup will be also higher.
“We always get a good crowd but we want to provide extra incentives for those making the day a success.”
Prizes will also be given for the best dressed female and male and the club is making sure there is plenty of food and refreshments.
A special free bus will pick up patrons from the Port Macquarie bus terminus at 10.45am and return them after the last race.
Buses will also pick up patrons from the Wauchope RSL Club from 11.30am and deliver them back.
