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By Mark Brassel

Glen Innes trainer Paddy Cunningham believes he has a promising filly on his hands with the well-named Carry on Ringo, who will be chasing her fourth win at Tamworth’s big Country Showcase meeting on Friday.

By Drumbeats, Carry on Ringo has raced on just six occasions and will contest the Advanced Inland Security Class 3 Handicap (1400m) with Allan Chau aboard.

“I’ve got to keep Allan on the filly – he’s ridden her three times for three wins!” Cunningham declared.

Carry on Ringo and Allan Chau following an Armidale win. Image by Bradley Photographers

After resuming with an 11th on the Sunshine Coast (1000m) the three-year-old bounced back with a commanding victory at Tamworth.

“The track was very wet and she simply didn’t handle it at the Sunshine Coast,” Cunningham said.

“But she bounced back to her best at Tamworth.”

After travelling wide for most of the journey, Carry on Ringo hit the lead halfway down the straight and defied all challenges to score by just over half a length.

“She did a good job under 60 kilos against older and more seasoned horses. She’s always shown ability and will handle getting up to a mile (1600m).

“She was ridden way back in the field in her first two starts and although she came from 13th spot to win at Walcha, she’s better ridden closer to the speed.”

Cunningham will also start Redraw in the Goodwin Kenny Class 1 and Maiden Showcase Plate (1600m).

Redraw was narrowly beaten at Grafton (1720m) before finishing fifth at Ipswich (1666m) after coming from 12th position at the home bend.

“Being a three-year-old, he is in the same boat, taking on the older horses. His Ipswich run was good as he got further back than we expected and finished well over the final stages.”

Previously the gelding had worked hard from the 600m at Grafton to take the lead on straightening before being run down late.

“He was left a sitting duck; he beat them all off before one steamed down the outside to grab him. He’s still learning what it’s all about and will develop into a nice horse later on.”

Cunningham said Allan Chau will ride both his horses at Tamworth on Friday.

View the final fields with full form & race replays for Tamworth's Country Showcase meeting here

Meanwhile, Nambucca River Jockey Club will stage its Diggers Tavern Bellingen Cup Day at Bowraville Racecourse on Saturday.

“Diggers Tavern has been a long-term sponsor of this day and it’s our premier event on the 2018 race calendar at Bowraville,” said Geoff Harris, NRJC’s secretary-manager.

“We’ve had some inclement weather that has caused interruptions to our racing calendar over past years, but the Club is looking forward with optimism to this year’s event.

“The track is in pristine condition and all the usual facilities will be operating on the day, with free buses running from Nambucca Heads, Macksville and Bellingen.”

View the race details for Bowraville here