Country hooker Damien Cook, riding a Gooree Cup winner this Saturday?
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Given the slight-of-frame South Sydney rake is built like a Group One winning hoop, it’s not that big a stretch to say he’s capable.
But it’s far more likely the famed country coloured silks he’s donning in the picture above will guide home a winner than Cook will, with the Gooree Park Cup race meeting at Mudgee on Saturday to double as a prelude to Sunday’s City-Country fixture.
Adding to an already bumper weekend in wine country, both Country and City silks will be worn throughout the annual race day, with Wellington Country Championship qualifier champion Distinctive Look headlining the Cup field.
David Smith’s champion gelding won’t have it all his own way on his home course though, with Wyong’s Damien Lane bringing Private Ben to Mudgee for the $40,000, 1600 metre race.
Ross Stitt’s Single Spirit is the other heavy hitter in the strong 12-horse field for Saturday’s main race, the duo looking to add to 12 career wins and over $250,000 in prizemoney.
Dubbo will be represented in the event by Peter Nestor, who will saddle Dane De Lago in barrier seven.
Dane De Lago has struggled in recent times having failed to run a place in five starts this preparation.
However, the former Country Championships finalists has improved, running 12th first up before a sixth and then fifth last start at Dubbo Turf Club on April 23.
Apprentice Chris Williams has the ride.
The only other Mudgee hope in the field is Gayna Williams’ Strong Boy, set to jump from barrier 12 and coming off a last-start third over 1500m on his home track.
The Gooree Cup jumps at 3.36pm on Saturday at the Mudgee Racing Club, and will be race six on a seven-race program that kicks off at 12.20pm with the first, the Tik Tik Memorial Three-year-old Maiden Handicap.