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By Graeme White

A wide gate, big weight, and a return to a grass track are all question marks hanging over Tulla Park before his assignment at Wagga on Thursday, according to trainer Tash Burleigh.

Tulla Park has been in great touch on the synthetic track at Canberra with two wins and a second from his past three starts with jockey Pierre Boudvillain aboard.

The galloper returns to a grass track for the Sheathers Painting Showcase Ian Reid Sprint (1200m) where he has top weight of 61 kilograms and barrier 11.

“He probably has a few things against him, but he has pulled up well from his last run and has been pretty consistent of late,” she said.

Tulla Park and Burleigh go way back to the days when he was a yearling, but his owner Belinda Walker from Yass has been with him from the start.

Trainer Tash Burleigh (pic: Bradley Photos).

Tulla Park’s half sister Xspiritous will start in the race prior, while another sibling Luxurial was a four times winner.

Their dam Murials Spirit has proven her worth but it’s more the thrill of her progeny winning that makes it all worthwhile for Walker, Burleigh and her team.

Tulla Park is the best performed of the trio with seven wins and $173,000 prize money, while Xspiritous is the baby of them with one victory from four appearances.

Now a seven-year-old, Tulla Park has a win and three placings form five previous starts at Wagga and can also handle soft rated tracks which will be the case at Wagga after recent drying weather.

This may not work to the advantage of the in-form Sheila who rises in grade, but has never raced better.

She is unbeaten in four starts on heavy tracks, but she has also won twice on soft ground and has strong statistics at Wagga.

From three starts at Wagga, she has produced two wins and a second and will carry 55 kilograms which is her lightest weight for many starts.

She has carried 59 and 60 kilograms in her past two wins in lower graded races on heavy tracks.

“She is going really well and this is her biggest test stepping up in grade,” her trainer and owner Andrew Dale said.

“There is no reason why she can’t be competitive again.

“My other runner Eamonn’s Memory is also racing well, but has the outside barrier. He didn’t have a lot of luck last time when third at Canberra.”

Canberra trainer Todd Smart holds a strong hand with Love Shuck and Kelvedon Road with the former unbeaten in two starts at Wagga.

Love Shuck has five wins from 13 starts and Kelvedon Road the same number of victories from 16 starts.

Jockey Billy Owen often rides both horses and will partner Love Shuck who is coming off two fourths in Sydney.

Kelvedon Road has had one starts back from a spell when he only beat two horses to the finish in Sydney.

He first-up statistics are normally strong with three wins from six attempts, while his second-up record is also strong with a win and two placings from four runs.

His first-up effort was below expectations so with the benefit of the start and a step up to 1200 metres (three wins and wo seconds from six attempts) he can be expected to be right in the finish.’

Impressive last start winner Nic’s Hero will be ridden by jockey Brett Fliedner who has been a stayer in the riding ranks for many decades.

Fliedner hasn’t ridden in a race since April, but has two rides on Thursday.

Many years ago, the jockey formed a unique bond with Tumbarumba galloper Aura Lad who won countless races throughout the district.

Sadly, Aura Lad’s trainer Bob Burgun passed away last week with his funeral to be held on Wednesday.

All the fields, form and replays for Wednesday’s Warwick Farm meeting