Wagga preview: Gary Colvin to launch twin attack in Country Championships defence

Gary Colvin’s quest for consecutive Country Championships crowns will go up a notch when stablemates Kappy’s Angel and Sizzling Cat lead his attack on home turf at Wagga on Thursday.

Colvin will launch a two-pronged attack in the Riverina Livestock Agents SDRA Country Championships Preview – Class 4 Handicap (1300m) as he prepares for this month’s $150,000 qualifier at Albury.

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The Wagga conditioner has won the heat the past two years after his stable weapon Another One became the first horse to win a qualifier twice with back-to-back victories in the race.

Another One, which finished second in his first crack at the $500,000 final at Randwick, went on to win last year’s main event on an unforgettable afternoon for Colvin.

Kappy’s Angel is his top contender for the lucrative Country series in 2023 after a superb preparation that has seen the mare win three of her past four.

The daughter of Kaphero was an excellent winner at her last run at Wagga on January 17 with Colvin keen to get another run under her belt before the February 25 qualifier.

“She was going to go down to the Highway last weekend but we drew 20 out of 20 so we decided to stay at Wagga in the preview,” Colvin said.

“It should be good for her. It should top her right off.

“1300m on Thursday to suit her.

“Barrier nine is a pretty sticky gate but she will just settle somewhere midfield and hopefully get the right run from there.”

Colvin, who also has Carnival Miss heading to the Championships heat, is reaping the benefits of a patient approach with Kappy's Angel.

Despite being a five-year-old, she has only had seven runs for three wins and five placings.

“She just needed a bit of time and she has got it,” Colvin said.

“She has really benefited from it and will run a really strong 1400m in the heat which I really think you have to do that to win these races.”

Kappy's Angel is a $3 TAB favourite on Thursday while stablemate Sizzling Cat is a $14 chance.

Sizzling Cat is returning from a 60-week break after being given time to recover from bone bruising but has trialled well in the lead up to his return.

“He is more of a mile horse and just came back from a few issues,” Colvin said.

“He has trialled well but he is just going to this race and if happens to get up and win it we will take him to the heat too.”

Apprentice Jett Stanley pilots Kappy’s Angel with Michael Heagney to ride Sizzling Cat.

Stanley will steer Colvin‘s first starter Swift Enuff on debut in the William Farrer Hotel Maiden Plate (1000m).

Swift Enuff was a winner of her only trial at the track but has been a drifter in betting $6.50 out to $9 for her debut.

“She has come along nicely,” Colvin said.

“She ran home strongly in her trial and I was pretty happy.

“I will be interested to see how she goes.”

Colvin confirmed his reigning Country Championships Another One is in work and will be aimed at a first up crack at the Listed Canberra National Sprint on Sunday, March 12th at Canberra.

Head out to see if he meets benchmark

Albury trainer Kym Davison expects Thursday‘s Romanos Hotel Benchmark 58 Handicap at Wagga will be a valuable learning experience for his lightly-raced galloper Royston Head.

The son of Headwater has made a solid start to his racing career and will chase back-to-back victories over the 1000m scamper on the seven-event card.

Royston Head placed in his first two starts before breaking through with a determined effort on speed at his last visit to Wagga on Australia Day.

Davison acknowledges he faces a tougher task to repeat the dose but is confident his three-year-old is ready to produce another strong showing at his fourth start.

“He will run a good race,” Davison said.

“It’s a fair ask coming out of a maiden into a Benchmark 58 carrying 58kg after the claim.

“It is hard to go from a maiden to a Class 1 let alone going to a benchmark race where you are going against older horses that have had four or five wins.

“But he puts his best foot forward and he will be in the race a long way so it will be a good learning curve where we are with the horse and his ability.”

Royston Head has been given plenty of respect in TAB betting and is a $3.60 second elect for the penultimate event, behind only the unbeaten filly Namid ($2.70).

Davison anticipates apprentice Teighan Worsnop will be able to utilise a favourable draw and give rivals something to catch.

“He has got a high cruising speed so coming out of barrier four should be perfect,” Davison said.

“He will attempt to lead and just keep rolling.”

Davison also had Jack’s All Magic in the Riverina Livestock Agents SDRA Country Championships Preview – Class 4 Handicap (1300m) but will scratch the gelding in favour of running in the Saturday’s Tumut Cup.

The five-year-old is being set for the SDRA Country Championships Qualifier on February 25 at Albury.

“I just want to make sure the horse gets enough points to make the final field for the Country Championships heat,” Davison said.

“That will be an easier race so we are going to take that option.”