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By Doug Ryan

Local trainer Colt Prosser and jockey Belinda Hodder could dominate at Wauchope Jockey Club’s event of the year, the iconic Woop Woop Cup meeting on Boxing Day.

Prosser said he could have “seven or eight” gallopers competing at the meeting at the Beechwood Road track, Hodder being on most of them, all races targetted.

Most of his hopes had their final hit-outs at Manning Valley Race Club’s TAB meeting on Sunday but final fields won’t be known until acceptances on Wednesday.

Prosser’s hope in the $11,000 Hastings Co-op Woop Woop Cup over 1800m is mare River Darl which at start six scored its first win over 1370m with Hodder in the saddle at Bowraville on November 28.

The horse was accepted to have its final lead-up race over 1900m at Kempsey last Monday but heavy rain caused the meeting to be called off and Prosser is now relying on Taree’s race.

The five-year-old certainly has the breeding for the cup’s 1800m being by former Taree sire Home On The Grange out of Ma Bijou and is related to trainer Lee Freedman’s 1995 VRC Oaks and VATC One Thousand Guineas winner Northwood Plume.

“She will run the trip, she would win it straight out of the paddock,” Prosser said. Prosser is no stranger to winning the cup, having won it with Raining On Sunday in 2018, Rigamarole in 2013 and 2014, and Steel Allure in 2012.

He always has a win or two in other races on the day and last year he had a winning double with Manning Treasure ($2.80) and Nic And Run ($2). The Cup day attracts plenty of attention and the club although under strict Covid 19 protocols is hoping for a crowd rivalling the record one last year when Port Macquarie gelding Dangerous Dan ($4 to $1.90) had punters and connections in celebration mood.

Club secretary Debbie Prosser said bookings for the meeting are being taken on NSWTickets.com.au and interest in the day is gaining momentum.

Club Vice-president Les Latimore said many of the patrons are visiting relatives in the area and enjoy the social atmosphere on Boxing Day at the picturesque country track. He said many people use the venue to meet and greet friends, enjoy the racing and the convivial atmosphere.

The club has worked hard to upgrade facilities and there is plenty of seating undercover. Unfortunately, plans all year to have the Port Macquarie trainer Matthew McCudden’s Dangerous Dan defend its title in the cup were quashed in the last week or so after it didn’t pull up well after lead-up races at Grafton and Tuncurry and has gone for a spell.

In 13 starts since last year’s win Dangerous Dan had won two races at Port and although it having the likelihood of topweight in the cup, McCudden and his big contingent of owners were looking forward to the race.

“They all wanted to go again, they got such a big thrill last year. Of all the races I have trained winners of this was my biggest thrill. I have great trophies in being the trainer and head owner,” McCudden added.

The club appreciates the goodwill shown by the sponsors of the five races on the non-TAB card. They also include M&S Print, Inland 4WD, Wauchope Stock & Estate Agents and the Hastings Hotel.

To keep the festivities flowing there are also great prizes for Fashions On The Field. The club is well stocked with food and refreshments and the track is looking a picture. Officials are hoping that fine weather prevails.