Leading jockey Greg Ryan will have his first ride on Tora Tora Tora in the feature Merry Christmas Dubbo Open Handicap over 1400 metres on Monday.
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The Dubbo Gold Cup winner has in recent times been successfully ridden by Jon Grisdale but with him not available, Ryan got the nod.
The former Victorian gelding has had six starts for Ben Webb and the Avil Park racing Syndicate with two successes.
Tora Tora Tora ($9.00) won third time up for the Tom Mulholland stable in the Dubbo Gold Cup defeating Newton’s Rings in a highly competitive race.
Next start Daniel Edmonds was in the saddle when second to Newton’s Rings in the Coonamble Cup before apprentice Tommy Berry was up when beaten 2.7 lengths sixth at Hawkesbury.
Last start Mulholland and Webb were back in the winner’s circle when their horse proved too strong for Flapdoole and Slick Sniper in the Mudgee cup.
The Mudgee race was on December 4 which suggests the freshener will be to his benefit.
One of the biggest hurdles will be to overcome top weight of 61kgs. Slick Sniper will be one of the dangers to a Tora Tora Tora victory with a 1kg advantage on this occasion.
The Tracey Bartley, Mudgee prepared Slick Sniper carried the same weight as the winner at Mudgee and was beaten a length.
Bartley has also opted for a different jockey for the Dubbo race with Michael Travers taking the engagement. He won on the gelding three starts back at Warren before Grant Buckley was up at Mudgee.
Only six horses have accepted for Sunday’s race but it should develop into a strong battle in the closing stages.
The Peter Nestor trained Boomerang ran a bold race at Narromine on Monday before going under by a neck to stablemate Miss Alberta.
Owned by a syndicate that includes Dubbo solicitor Kevin Hockey, Boomerang has had only six starts during 2009, the last win being at Parkes on February 1.
Meanwhile, there’s a new horse in the Mulholland stable with My Harry having its first run for the trainer when unplaced at Narromine on Monday.
Owned by David and Sue Lomax, My Harry is still to break through for his maiden success but according to owners is knocking on the door.
My Harry was purchased at a Wellington Boot auction a couple of years ago and was formerly trained by Peter Nestor.
Monday’s Dubbo race meeting will be made up of seven races starting with Open Handicap at the later time of 2.55pm and finishing at 6.55pm.
