TOM Copelin admits he has been training horses since the days when a stall at the Dubbo Showground cost "five bob a week" and over the years he has had his share of handy ones.
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These days the retiree only has the one pacer in work, His A Tease, which goes around in the Daily Liberal Pace (1720m) at Dubbo Paceway tonight.
Copelin leases the gelding from Robert Ross and took great delight when the five-year-old scored a win at the Dubbo track back on November 2.
"It's nice when you can win a race on your home track, especially when it's the only horse you've got," Copelin said.
"He is going well this time in. He's been a bit unlucky a couple of times but it was a good win last time and hopefully he can do it again.
"I haven't given him any trials since he won. Some trainers trial them every week and I reckon it wears them out for the races.
"He's a tough horse, not one of the ones with a good sprint, but he's fit and going well and he races that little bit better when he's feeling fresh."
His A Tease was forced to sit outside the leader when scoring earlier in the month and the task will be no easier tonight after he draw barrier five.
But Copelin said he will leave the driving tactics up to reinsman Madison Reynolds.
"Madison knows the horse and how to drive him. He drove him well last time," Copelin said.
"There's no point giving too many instructions because races never really pan out the way you think they will. I just hope he can get over somewhere and get a good run.
"If he has to sit outside the leader like last time then we know he's tough and can win doing that."
Seven races will be held on tonight's program with the first at 7.24pm and the last event scheduled for 10.40pm.
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