Latest News

By Mark Brassel

Around this time two years back, Wagga trainer Gary Colvin thought he may have struck ‘Gold’ when a bay gelding under his care stepped out to make his debut.

Relatively unwanted at $16, Snippet of Gold put up a phenomenal performance on his home track to stage a last-to-first victory.

Snippet of Gold (Mathew Cahill) sizzles home to score at Wagga on debut. Image by Les Smith (Wagga Advertiser)

“It was an unbelievable win,” Colvin recalled. “We had no inkling he’d do what he did that day and he powered over the top of them to score pulling away.”

But the now five-year-old has been plagued by knee problems since, with only 12 starts to his name including three wins and three placings.

“He’s had two knee operations and hopefully we’ve ironed out his issues and he is now on track as I’ve always had a bit of an opinion of the horse.”

Colvin is desperately hoping Snippet of Gold sneaks into the field for this Thursday’s XXXX Gold Wagga Town Plate (1200m). However, with a 31-strong list of nominations, Snippet of Gold may struggle to get a place in the final field of 16.

“If he doesn’t make the cut for the Town Plate he’ll run in either the Benchmark 60 or Benchmark 70 on Cup day (Friday),” Colvin said.

Snippet of Gold resumed from an enforced nine-month break to finish a creditable sixth to Takookacod in the Wagga Town Plate Prelude (1200m) on April 15, beaten just over two lengths at $61.

“It was a huge run after being trapped wide most of the way. He still looked a chance halfway down the straight but just tired as he was a little underdone. He’s had a lot of work since and has a real zest for racing – he’s very competitive.”

Colvin has also nominated stablemate Superoo for the Town Plate and he too may find it hard to gain a start with four wins from 19 starts. Superoo also raced in the Town Plate Prelude and had trouble gaining a clear run for the majority of the straight, finishing seventh.

“If he gets a run in the Town Plate, he’s a horse that will be suited as they will run along a bit.”

The two major days of the Wagga Gold Cup Carnival will carry a record $800,000 in prizemoney, with the Listed-Bendigo Bank 2018 Wagga Gold Cup having been increased by $10,000 to be worth $160,000.

And prizemoney for the XXXX Gold Wagga Town Plate (1200m) has jumped by a mammoth $40,000 to carry $150,000 in stakes.

“It’s considered one of the strongest country carnivals in Australia and is again set to live up to all expectations this year,” declared Murrumbidgee Turf Club’s CEO, Scott Sanbrook.

“Nominations are strong and the best of the best – both trainers and jockeys – will be on show over the two days.”

View the race details with full form & race replays for Wagga (THURSDAY) here

View the race details with full form & race replays for Wagga (FRIDAY) here