Latest News

By John Schell

Greg Hickman will make the trip to Sunday’s Taree Cup meeting with two leading chances set to contest minor races on the feature card.

While the $100,000 Taree Cup, a race that carries Big Dance eligibility, headlines the meeting, the Warwick Farm based Hickman will rely on Waikato Flyer in the Elders Real Estate Class 1 & Maiden Showcase Plate (2000m) and Snitzaroo in the TAB Super Maiden Showcase Plate (1000m) to potentially land him a winning double.

Trainer Greg Hickman

“Waikato Flyer is a nice type by Savabeel and the 2000m will suit him at Taree,” said Hickman.

“His first three runs back from a spell this campaign were all good and then he was only just beaten when he ran second at Taree at his latest start.

“Ashley Morgan takes the ride on Sunday and he has barrier one which should ensure he gets a good run throughout. I think he’ll be very hard to beat.”

Snitzaroo is resuming from a spell in his event and has drawn well in gate three with Dylan Gibbons taking the ride.

“He’s a nice enough horse that ran well enough in his two starts early in the year,” Hickman said.

“I’ve given him two trials leading into this first-up run and they have both been good.

“It’s a nice starting point for him and I expect him to run very well over the 1000m.”

Meanwhile, Newcastle trainer Kris Less is confident he can give the Taree Cup a shake when Rogue Bear lines up in the event with Dylan Gibbons taking the ride.

Rogue Bear was scratched from a Newcastle race on Saturday in order to be saved for the Taree feature.

“He’s a horse on the up,” said Lees.

“He handled the Taree circuit well when he won there when he was first-up from a spell this preparation.

“He’s since stepped up to city company and has run really well both times at Randwick at his last two starts.

“It’s not going to be an easy race for him on Sunday, but he is heading in the right direction and I’d expect him to be fighting out the finish.”

All the fields, form and replays for Sunday's Taree Cup meeting