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By Greg Prichard

Newcastle trainer Jason Deamer has done a fantastic job with Slush Fund since the horse was cut from a heavyweight stable and he believes it is ready to win again at Taree on Friday.

Slush Fund was formerly trained by Ciaron Maher & David Eustace at their Warwick Farm operation and failed to run a place at any of its first five starts at Bathurst, Kembla Grange (twice), Wyong and Canberra.

But since being transferred to Deamer’s stable at the end of November the horse has thrived and in three starts since has managed a win at Tuncurry, a fourth at Coffs Harbour and another win at Tuncurry.

Slush Fund (Blake Spriggs) heads to the barriers at Kembla Grange. Image by Bradley Photographers

The three-year-old gelding will contest the Glass 24/7 Benchmark 58 Handicap over 1262m.

He will be ridden by one of NSW’s leading country jockeys in Ashley Morgan and has drawn nicely in barrier six (coming into five if the sole emergency ends up being scratched).

“He arrived here in great order from Ciaron’s stable,” Deamer said. “Maybe he just didn’t handle big-city life.

"That happens sometimes with horses, they get a change of scenery and happen to like it.

“I actually had him as a yearling and did a bit of educational work with him before he went to Ciaron’s stable, so I was at least familiar with the horse.

"When he wasn’t aiming up down there they sent him back to me. Maybe I just got him at the right time for him.

“He’s fit and well and Ash knows him, having won on him three starts back. He’s still learning, still a bit immature, but he tries very hard.

"The distances around 1200 to 1300 are good for him at this stage and I think he gets in very well at the weights after winning two races.

"It looks a good race for him, so he should be very competitive again.”

Deamer also has four-year-old mare Lovely Thoughts in the Hogan Plumbing Group Class 1 & Maiden Plate over 2018m and three-year-old gelding Pennart in the Underwood Electrical Maiden Plate over 1262m.

“Lovely Thoughts has drawn the outside in a field of eight, but the barrier won’t worry her,” Deamer said. “She ran well first-up at Tuncurry and the increase in distance will really suit her.

"She’s got a nice light weight and should run very well. She’s a real stayer, a 2000-to-2400-metre horse, and she’ll be much better off for her first run back.

“She’s definitely capable of winning - especially this race. It looks nice for her.

“Pennart will be hard to beat. Good barrier, set weights, nice race for him first-up. He’s had one trial and has done very well in his work since.

“I’m going to the races with what I believe are three good chances, so I’m very optimistic.”

*Gates open at midday. First race 1.10pm. Admission $10 and $5 concession. Full bar, bistro, Lions Club food van, TAB and bookmaker facilities.

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