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By Greg Prichard

After taking a step back and regenerating his stable over the spring, local trainer Glen Milligan is gearing up for a busy summer and has several winning chances at the Taree race meeting on Tuesday.

Milligan will saddle up Wing Nut, the $3.60 favourite with TAB for the Sky International Maiden Plate over 1609 metres.

He also has $14 chance Quick Buck in that race.

Milligan’s two other runners on the day - Queen Calanthe in the Midges No More Maiden Handicap over 1005 metres and Bob’s Last One in the Ben Looker Class 2 & Above Benchmark 58 Handicap over 1005 metres - are also solid in the betting.

Trainer Glen Milligan

Queen Calanthe is quoted at $6.50 and Bob’s Last One is a $5 chance.

They face some challenges - Wing Nut, Quick Buck and Queen Calanthe are all drawn wide - but Milligan says all four of his horses should run well.

“The main three are all good each-way chances and Quick Buck is probably an each-way chance as well,” he said.

“Wing Nut might’ve looked a bit disappointing last-start at Port Macquarie, when he ran fourth, but with the way the track’s been racing there, leader-ish, we’ve ridden him a bit out of his comfort zone in his two recent runs there.

“I’d rather just let him jump out and travel where he’s happy rather than give him a dig along to hold a spot and try to be on-speed, so we’ll look to do that this time.

“He's going well and I’ve always said he’ll get a mile, just ridden a bit quieter. It looks a winnable race for him.

“I don’t want it any wetter than a Soft 6 or 7, I think on a heavy track he’s a question mark, but he’s done everything right at home. He’s no superstar, he’s only a little fellow, but he tries hard.”

The Taree track was rated a Soft 6 on Monday morning.

“Quick Buck will go to the paddock for a spell after this race - win, lose or draw,” Milligan said.

“He’s made good progress recently, but he can be a bit flat-footed. He’s very one-paced, so we’ll be trying to go forward on him and see if he can be competitive from there.

“Queen Calanthe’s last-start run at Port was alright. It was her first run for me and I know more about her now.

“I don’t think the wide draw is too much of a disadvantage for her. She’s got a good cruising speed, so Teighan (Worsnop) can ride her own race on her and keep her sliding forward from the outside.

“The favourite (Calido Magic) will obviously be hard to beat. Hopefully we’re in front of it in the run and can pinch a break on straightening and see if we can keep going. I do like Queen Calanthe, it just depends on where she gets to from the alley.

“Bob’s Last One has done everything right at home, he’s going well, it’s just the 61kg that worries me with him. He’s only a little fellow so it’s a big load for him, but it’s only 1000 metres and he’s ready to rock and roll. The soft track won’t worry him, that’s for sure.”

Milligan has saddled up three winners from his last 10 starters as he looks to get back into full stride.

“I had a couple of weeks off and went over to the Maldives with my wife Vicky in late September,” he said.

“It was good to have a break. It was the first time we’ve been away for two weeks for about 10 years.

“We only had eight horses in work at the time. I spelled a few and moved a few others out and rebuilt.

“I’m back to 15 in work again now. I could have more, but that’s plenty for me - I don’t want any more than 12 to 15. I’m looking forward to finding the right races for them and hopefully doing well over the next few months.”

*First race 1.50pm. Gates open 12.30pm. Full TAB and bookmaker facilities. The Turf Bistro inside the Winning Post Function Centre and inside and outside bars open. General admission $10 and concession $5. See Manning Valley Race Club Facebook page for more details.

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