Former Harden locals and well known horse trainers, Scott Spackman and Chris Heywood will be heading to Albury on Sunday in their quest to qualify for the Country Championships Final, to be held at Randwick in April. Spackman will have Didn’t Even Kiss Me lining up in the $150,000 race whilst Heywood nominated 6 runners and will have 5 starters in the 16 horse field. Heywood has Fermanagh Lad, Lighthouse, Husson’s Shout, Class Clown, and Delivered.
Spackman is very happy with his mare, even though in her last 2 runs she didn’t finish in the winner’s circle due to a big step up in the quality of the field. Didnt Even Kiss Me’s last 2 runs was a last place in the Group Two Angus Armanasco Stakes at Caulfield in February before an eighth placing in the Listed Canberra Guineas in early March.
Scott Spackman is hoping Didn’t Even Kiss Me will take him to his second Country Championships Final on Sunday, for Spackman Racing.
It is the third time Spackman has had a runner in the Championships heats. He finished 2nd in 2015 qualifier and came midfield in the Final at Randwick. “She is hard fit now I can’t do any more with her, she is ready to go.”
Didn’t Even Kiss Me’s recent step up to quality races should leave the 3 year old filly in an excellent place for a very good showing. Her 10 starts have reaped 3 wins and 2 2nd placings for connections and close to $50,000 in prizemoney over her short career, which only commenced in July last year.
Heywood Racing apprentice Lily Coombe, will have four rides on Sunday at Albury.
Heywood is approaching the 1400m race with numbers as well as quality. Fermanagh Lad is a quality sprinter and seems suited to 1000 to 1200 metres over his 11 starts. The 4 year old Bon Hoff gelding will have to win for the first time over 1400 metres if he is to win the SDRA Championships qualifier. He has drawn barrier 6 and will need to lead and hold on, as has been the nature of his recent performances. 7 year old Lighthouse will be another chance and has been preparing for the distance with his last two starts being over 1300 metres.
Husson’s Shout hasn’t won since January 2016 but has been very consistent with 3 placings over his last 5 starts.
Class Clown has won over 1400m and 1600m and will also be a good chance. Delivered has had 12 starts for a win, a second and 3 third placings, however, his only win was over 1000 metres.
Heywood Racing apprentice Lily Coombe, with Heywood Racing Trainer Chris Heywood.
If you want to follow our the ‘locals’ on Sunday check out the form guide or have a look at Racing New South Wales Diary. Heywood has another 7 runners across the 8 race card, whilst Spackman will have another 3 runners on the day.
The Championships was inaugurated in 2014 as a “Grand Finals” concept to feature and showcase the very best of Australian racing as the jewel in the crown of Sydney’s Autumn Carnival.
2017 will witness the fourth year of this exciting initiative, launched by Racing NSW in partnership with The Australian Turf Club and supported by the Government of NSW.
Held on the first and second Saturday of April each year, The Championships’ twelve races will be hotly contested to determine champion status over different age groups and distances. Glittering emerald encrusted trophies, designed by acclaimed Sydney jeweller Cerrone are awarded to the winning owner, trainer and jockey of each race.
With a total of $20.2 million prizemoney on offer, the stage is set for two days of exciting and highly competitive racing. The very best horses in Australia will compete against some of the finest international contestants, at what is a feature occasion in Sydney’s social and sporting calendar.
Royal Randwick, one of Australia’s vibrant and most prestigious racing venues, is a fitting host. Visitors and racing enthusiasts from around the country and overseas will witness world class racing, and enjoy a dazzling array of fashion and award winning hospitality at this grand occasion.
Good luck Chris and Scott.
