It’s business as usual at Goulburn today as the tablelands hosts a seven-race card.
And whilst key talking points leading up to the meeting have been the strong contingent of local acceptors and a ‘hit or miss’ weather forecast there’s also a nice Kosciusko sideshow in play.
The meeting offers an early audition of sorts for the $2m The Kosciuszko as duelling slot fillers, read Danny Williams and Matthew Dale, shadow box with a number of runners engaged throughout the day.
Both Dale and Williams have debutantes in the opening race and a total of three runners each on the Goulburn card.
All the ‘good chat’ at Goulburn this week has been around the news that the tablelands racing hub now has four confirmed runners in this year’s edition of the $2m The Kosciuszko (1200m) on TAB Everest Day.
With two locked and loaded runners in the country only feature going to Dale (Front Page - $2.80 on TAB and Cavalier Charles - $21) and Williams (Kreon - $21 and Bandi’s Boy - $11) the Goulburn contingent is guaranteed a minimum of four spots in the final field of 14 runners.
Goulburn Race Club's CEO, Robyn Fife voiced excitement on behalf of the whole club with near confirmation of The Kosciuszko final field and the heroics potential for Goulburn’s ‘awesome foursome’.
“Matt Dale and Danny Williams have built a reputation for peaking a horse when it matters.
“The selection of Front Page, Cavalier Charles, Kreon and Bandi’s Boy by this year’s The Kosciusko winning ticket holders adds further bona fides to that fact,” Ms Fife offered.
“On behalf of Goulburn Race Club we extend our congratulations to both stables and connections on getting their charges into The Kosciuszko field.”
Williams has Kreon ($21) accepted in the last at Rosehill Gardens on Golden Rose Day.
In the meantime, the Chris Waller-trained Duvana ($1.45 favourite) finds himself in a Goulburn maiden in Race 6, the Crookwell Community Trust Maiden Plate (1500m).
The colt tackled Group races last campaign including a third placing behind Storm Boy in the Skyline Stakes.
Goulburn's track is currently rated a Heavy 8 with the rail out 4m. Race 1 is timed to go at 1.35pm.
View the final fields with full form & race replays for Goulburn here