By Tony Megahey
For Natalie Jarvis, a former Australian rowing and equestrian champion, it’s been a career-defining season since she relocated to Moruya for a local training premiership, her first metropolitan winner, and a club horse-of-the-year award.
Natalie is well aware racing usually only accommodated scripts and dreams when the incomparable Winx was in her zenith.
Moruya-based trainer Natalie Jarvis. Image by Bradley Photographers
However, Natalie looks primed for a booming day where the popular club has races name in her honour, and for her grand track specialist Malachi Crunch ($11 on TAB fixed odds).
Natalie, with an imposing 26 wins in the past season, is represented throughout Moruya’s seven-race TAB program on Tuesday, with numerous favourites and a high degree of confidence.
Especially in her two lightly-raced Snowden discards in Boom and Zoom ($5.50 into $4) and Shrug ($10) who will be value. As will Natalie’s February Rosehill Gardens staying winner Resort ($23).
The former Kembla trainer who rides her own work, has eight starters spread between her on-loan Canberra apprentice Patrick Scorse, who won for her recently on performed former Victorian Hay Bale, Belinda Wright, Moruya premiership winner Jess Taylor and Shaun Guymer.
Moruya award winner Malachi Crunch, a sentimental crowd favourite with five local wins will also head the popularity with the TAB and bookies in a Nelli Jam Musical Festival, 1200m.
However, a hefty impost and his backmarker style means he’s not necessarily Natalie’s top preference on the day.
“We needed a maximum claim with Belinda (Wright) off that 62.5kg - he can be tricky for an apprentice, but he’s just so tough and honest.
“He’ll be all of that again. But he always gets get back and needs the pace on. I do like the Victorian filly Boom and Zoom – we got her off the Snowdens; she’s really thrived here.
“She raced on pace to place in maidens and Pakenham and Mornington. Always really strong form for maidens up here and she’s lightly-raced.
“We’ve focused on maidens down there before for this grade if those top stables don’t consider them city potential. Her recent jump out and her work has been really pleasing.”
Boom and Zoom contests the Malachi Crunch Horse of the Year Maiden (930m). Natalie is also buoyed with the prospects at value of Shrug and Sarzana ($3.10 favourite) in late races.
“They’re both in suitable races. Sarzana’s placings have been strong from a spell without much luck and she’s out to a suitable distance.
“Shrug was unlucky, hampered and almost fell last start, she’s been showing us enough and her previous run was solid.”
Likely the most progressive horses out of the meeting are Joe Cleary’s Kiss My Swiss ($2.50 fav) and Luke Pepper’s Kiwi, O’Princess ($2.60), off three successive on-pace Canberra synthetic track wins.
Moruya at present is rated a good four in fine conditions.
View the final fields with full form & race replays for Moruya here