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Michael Travers Racing has never been busier, especially in the lead-up to Saturday’s SDRA Country Championships meeting at Wagga Wagga’s Murrumbidgee Turf Club.

MTR will have a mammoth team of ten runners on the day and a handful of live chances at the feature Southern Districts meeting.

Headlining our chances is Dynamic One in the $150,000 Country Championships qualifier (1400m), with John Kissick (57.5kg) taking the ride from gate 5.

The four-year-old, four-time winner has crept under the radar. Still, he has ability, which he showcased during his most recent preparation, winning a 1400m Benchmark 58 Handicap at Gundagai in September before prevailing in a 1500m Benchmark 66 Handicap at Albury on November 8.

Before going to the paddock for a freshen-up, he took on the Queanbeyan Cup, finishing only three lengths off the winner.

The Super One gelding has been a good horse for the stable, and he’ll head into the event first-up and ready to fire.

The second feature race of the program is the Tom Patton Cup (1800m), where recent Cowra Cup winner Mathrin will be chasing an eighth career win.

A track specialist (27:5-4-4), Mathrin has enjoyed racing over more ground in recent starts, and the seven-year-old will step out over the nine furlongs for the first time in her career at Wagga.

We’ve drawn perfectly with gate one, and Amy O’Driscoll (56.5kg) will give the old girl every chance and a 2kg claim in the $40,000 staying test.

The $30,000 Benchmark 82 sprint is another good race on the program. We’ll start recent Holbrook Cup winner Kahawaty, who has drawn gate eight.

A cheap pick-up for the stable, the six-year-old continues to make money for connections, taking her stable earnings to shy of $40,000 last start.

Amy O’Driscoll (53.5kg) is on her back for the 2kg claim, and on her home track, we’ll see if Kahawaty can go back-to-back for connections.

The MTR team will kick off the meeting with Roullottie, the recent Bega placegetter and current $2.70 favourite in the $40,000 Country Boosted Maiden Handicap (1200m).

The four-year-old has placed at three of her past four starts, and with John Kissick (58.5kg) in the saddle, and from the good draw (gate 1), Roullottie will take some catching.

The following event is the $50,000 Super Maiden Plate (1400m), and we have current $3 favourite Jenni Divine (gate 3) and $10 chance Star Empire (gate 2).

Jenni Divine has been racing well, finishing in the money at her past four starts, including a last-start second at the Sapphire Coast, where she was beaten a half-length.

A win would be the icing on the cake for the connections of Jenni Divine this preparation, and Jack Martin (56.5kg) has been tasked with getting the job done.

Star Empire, which has made good ground in recent events over 1200m at Wagga Wagga, is not to be dismissed.

The extra furlong will suit the three-year-old, and Shaun Guymer takes the ride.

I Am Vengeance is the next of our chances after drawing awkwardly with gate 14 in the 1600m Class 1/Maiden.

Serg Lisnyy (55kg) is in the saddle, with this three-year-old looking for more ground.

Another winning chance arrives in race four, the $35,000 Country Boosted Benchmark 58 Handicap (1400m).

MTR starts last-start Bega placegetter Taluk, who John Kissick (59kg) rides from gate eight.

The three-year-old filly has been racing well, finishing in the money in recent races at Albury and the Sapphire Coast.

Rounding out our chances at Wagga Wagga will be Showrata and Pussyfoot in the Benchmark 58 Handicap (1000m).

Shaun Guymer (57.5kg) jumps aboard Showrata, an $18 chance from gate 4 despite catching the eye at the Sapphire Coast when storming to victory in the 1000m Maiden Plate.

Amy O’Driscoll (55kg) hops aboard stablemate and current $5 favourite Pussyfoot, which has drawn gate 3.

The three-year-old also caught the eye when winning her maiden at Albury over 1400m on November 8 before being tested in Listed company at Caulfield in late November.

Following a freshen-up, Pussyfoot returns to racing at Wagga Wagga.

It’s set to be a massive day for MTR, but Mick is the first to admit it’s a team effort and that it's only possible with the help of his hard-working crew.

We hope to see many of our owners and supporters out and about on Saturday.

 

Words: Jeff Hanson

Image: Bradley Photos