Latest News

By Mark Brassel

Hawkesbury trainer Garry White will attempt to ‘write’ himself into the history books when he takes Letter to Juliette up for Friday’s $60,000 Inland Digital Orange Showcase Gold Cup (2100m).

White is chasing his fourth Orange Cup having previously won the feature with Aussie Statesman (twice) and Peaceful Joe.

Letter to Juliette (Tye Angland) coasts home at Hawkesbury. Image by Bradley Photographers

“I’ve also finished second on three occasions so the Orange Cup has been a great race to me,” White said.

Letter to Juliette hasn’t had much luck in her past four starts after winning at Hawkesbury (1800m) back in January.

“She’s an honest mare but things just haven’t gone her way since she won here,” White said.

“Four runs back in the Bathurst Cup she had her hind legs taken from under her as they turned for home.

"She finished fourth but was only beaten a long head and a head and should have won.”

White then brought her to town for a 1900m race at Canterbury Park where jockey Tye Angland took off 650m out, dashed clear, but was grabbed in the final two strides by Domed.

“The horse that beat her has since run second (to The Pinnacle) in a Group 3 race (Epona Stakes) so it’s very strong form.

“I then stepped her up 500m in journey to 2400m probably a little too early at Kembla Grange, and after looking the winner, she just tired the final 50m when fourth (to Multitude).”

Last start Letter to Juliette again headed to the city and she fought on doggedly when third to Mazaz, again in a 2400m event at Warwick Farm: “She probably could have been ridden a bit more conservatively but still ran a nice race.”

Letter to Juliette has been a model of consistency recording two wins and seven placings from her 15 starts and will relish heading back to the country from metropolitan grade.

“She’ll probably have just two more runs before I turn her out. After the Orange Cup I’m looking at the ($100,000) Provincial Stayers race at the Hawkesbury Stand-alone Saturday meeting (28 April).”

The White stable has been in good form of late with a winning double at Hawkesbury on Thursday courtesy of And So It Goes and Lady Chalfont. White also prepared two placegetters on the card, Military Academy and Fifth Affair.

“I usually only have 12 horses in work; I have a total of 20 but they are constantly coming in and out from the farm just to keep the continuity.”

Racing Orange has a huge Cup day planned on Friday with live music, the Pat Dougherty Fashions on the Field contest, a courtesy bus from Hotel Canobolas, full TAB facilities and hospitality packages, with gates opening at midday.

View the race details for Orange's Country Showcase meeting here