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By Graeme White

Junee is famous for many things and a horse named after the historic Riverina town is set to make her comeback at Moruya today.

I Call Junee Home ($14 on TAB) was seemingly retired after suffering a pelvic injury that connections thought may have ended her career.

I Call Junee Home (Mitchell Bell) bolts in at Canterbury Park. Image by Bradley Photographers

The mare returns to racing in the Jenny Madden 70th Benchmark 66 (1020m) after having last faced the starter in April of 2023.

The eight-year-old has only started twice since June of 2022 with both of those for current trainer Gratz Vella.

I Call Junee Home is raced by former Reserve Bank Governor of Australian Bernie Fraser who trained her for several starts before she joined the Luke Pepper stable.

She won four races for Pepper culminating with a win at Canterbury over 1100m just over two years ago.

Gratz Vella has liked the two trials of I Call Junee Home which have resulted in a win and a second – the first over subsequent Dubbo winner Sooboogelicious.

But he has reservations with the big weight of 62.5kg from a wide draw after such a long time out of racing.

“I’m really happy with her work and trials, but it’s a big ask. Bernie was keen to start her so she will kick off at Moruya,” Vella said.

Fraser was born in Junee hence the horse’s name – the town famous for many things including its proud harness racing history with the biggest race of them all – the Inter Dominion.

Experienced jockey Jeff Penza will ride I Call Junee Home who faces a strong test against the likes of favourite Fourth Spargo ($2.15), Acheson ($4.60), Selhurst Park ($7.50) and Zazel ($10).

The topweight Free State ($12) is in peak form with a first-up victory and third in two starts this preparation.

Meanwhile, trainer Neil Osborne hopes Ronny Rock Art can get on the board for new stable apprentice Glenn Cahill in the Adelaide Hotel Benchmark 58 (1310m).

Cahill, who has ridden several winners, recently joined the stable for three months and rode Ronny Rock Art when he finished second at Goulburn last Sunday.

It was the 14th time Ronny Rock Art has finished second and Osborne feels there are more wins in the galloper. The winner of four races chased home Iconic Treasure who has won two of his five starts.

“It was s stronger race on Sunday and there will be no problem with him backing-up within five days,” he said. “He has run a lot of seconds and kept the bank balance ticking over.”

Thoughtful is the $2.70 favourite on TAB with Ronny Rock Art at $6.50. Peruno ($8) is nearing another victory after strong recent efforts at Moruya where he is trained by Michael Gatty.

Meanwhile, Moruya is gearing up for the second running of the Legend Of The South for $50,000 on Friday, October 4. The conditions of the race have been changed from last year.

View the final fields with full form & race replays for Moruya here