By Tony Megahey
Moree’s regional racing doyen Peter Sinclair provides the intrigue with former Danny O’Brien quality Victorian gallopers resuming at the Quirindi TAB meeting on Thursday.
In particular, Listed city form from lightly raced five-year-old Palani ($17 on TAB) is far superior to anything at the meeting and Always Hunting ($16) at four years has also raced in stronger grade.
They make comebacks for Sinclair ideally graded in just a Class 1, Werris Creek Sports, Werris Creek Cup 1200m.
Moree-based trainer Peter Sinclair
For O’Brien, Palani in mid last year finished second in the Listed-Port Adelaide Guineas, was fourth at Flemington in a VG Reef behind classy Umgawa, while Always Hunting won a Donald Maiden when favourite in July.
That's solid form for a country class 1.
Palani’s 61kg top weight has been reduced by the 2.5kg claim for Sinclair’s stable apprentice Jacob Golden.
That’s the stronger lead for the Zoustar protégé and Guineas runner up who significantly has been placed first-up.
Crack regional senior Clayton Gallagher rides Always Hunting at 59.5kg.
“They came here sound in good order, this is a starting point, Palani has the quality and breeding, their best form is over more ground, but they’ve done well,” Sinclair offered.
“Their form tapered off last prep in far better grade over there. So they were sent out here to find their level, maybe Country Cups.
“But both are real nice types with breeding, Palani is a Zoustar and while he has some first-up form, his best is out to a mile. But they’ve got to start somewhere out here.”
Palani won’t be easy to place in the regionals with hefty weight off his Listed form. Hence the use of Golden’s claim.
Sinclair, a prolific Country Cups winner, has worked for over 40 years as a Telstra technician juggling training a substantial team with the aid of his son Nathan, a registered trainer.
Meanwhile, Jane Clement also has strong prospects at the meeting combining with her son, rising apprentice Braith Nock.
Indentured to family friend Brett Canavough, Braith only recently broke through with his first winners for his mother.
Quirindi is a Good 4 in overcast weather.
View the final fields with full form & race replays for Quirindi here