By Ray Hickson
The city may well be beckoning speedy galloper Bombdiggity again if he can add Sunday’s $35,000 Gilgandra Newspapers/Bob Foran Memorial Town Plate (1100m) to his record.
It’s a decent trip from Goulburn to Gilgandra but trainer Scott Collings said the race suits the gelding after he carried 61kg to victory in the Moruya Town Plate on December 19.
The six-year-old, a winner of nine of his 26 starts, will carry the same weight at Gilgandra after Jackson Searle’s 2kg claim.
“It’s going to be a big challenge from here on in to place him and that’s why we are heading out to Gilgandra,’’ Collings said.
“It’s a Town Plate race and with a bit more prizemoney he’s not handicapped as hard.
“If he happens to win out there he’ll probably have to go to town, he’s a (country) Benchmark 90 already.”
Bombdiggity has made six trips to the city so far in a mix of Highway and Benchmark races and his best result is a close Highway second placing but he's rarely been too far away.
Bombdiggity wins the Moruya Town Plate
He has led all the way in six of his nine wins and Collings anticipates making a bid for the front at Gilgandra after he drew near the outside.
But that’s something that doesn’t concern him too much, neither does having to shoulder the weight again.
“If it was 1000m maybe (the barrier would be a problem), but over 1100m he will show good speed and either cross most of them and get to the front or be sitting outside the leader,’’ he said.
“Carrying weight has never really worried him. In seven of his wins he’s carried no less than 60kg.
“He’s come through (Moruya) super and with no dramas at all. That’s why we’re heading all the way out there.
“He’s been going really well, I couldn’t be happier with him. I think he will perform as good as he has been going.”
Meanwhile, Collings said his Newhaven Park Country Championships hopeful Ten Bells has passed her first test for the preparation with her barrier trial win at Canberra on Wednesday.
The four-year-old has won four of her six starts including two TAB Highways, her latest on Everest day, and is being set for the $150,000 Newhaven Park South East Country Championships (1400m) at Nowra on February 13 second-up.
“I was pleased with the way she trialled. She’ll have her first run back at the end of the month and then go into the race,’’ he said.
“I think she will handle herself. Obviously it’s a step up for her and a bit more of a challenge but she seems to be a mare with a lot of upside.”
All the fields, form and replays for Sunday's Gilgandra meeting