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By Brenton Le Grand

Wyong trainer Kristen Buchanan is set for a big day’s racing at Taree today, with no less than five runners engaged for the showcase meeting at the Manning Valley racecourse.

She kicks off her proceedings with Traumatised in the Become a Race Club Member Maiden Showcase Plate over 1000m. This four-year-old Choisir gelding comes into the event with a second at Dubbo at his only start to date, and although drawn poorly in gate 13, Buchanan is rapt to have multiple Group 1 winning hoop Kerrin McEvoy aboard.

“The booking of Kerrin is a big tick for us, as he rarely ventures up to Taree,” Buchanan said. “Hopefully he can navigate the tricky gate, and we can go one better this time.”

In the following race, Buchanan lines up the five-year-old Written Tycoon gelding Texas Tycoon, who is also looking to improve on a last start second.

“He was really strong on the line last start at Muswellbrook,” Buchanan said. “He is fourth up now and starting to hit peak fitness.”

Laszlo is among Buchanan's best chances at Taree. Credit: Bradley Photos.

The Wingham Services Club Corey Brown Cup BM 65 over 1300m sees Buchanan saddle up two hopefuls in Laszlo and Dual Escape. Laszlo has been extremely consistent for the stable with three wins and seven placings from only 15 starts, and Dual Escape is already a two-time winner from seven starts to date.

“Laszlo is first up here, and I’ll be looking to get him over further ground than this later in the preparation,” Buchanan said. “Dual Escape looks to be a winning hope, but we have drawn poorly again in gate 14 so it will require a peach of a ride from Josh Adams!”

In one of the features on the day, Buchanan lines up Macquarie Magic in the Wingham Services Club Showcase Wingham Cup over 1600m. This six-year-old Danzero gelding has been a great money-spinner for connections, and looks to add to his $118,000 in earnings.

Not afraid to travel, Buchanan will then back up at Kembla Grange on Saturday with her four-year-old Moshe gelding Mosrai, who is also coming off a last start second. “I had him nominated for Taree, but the Kembla race seems a lot more suitable with a small field of seven,” Buchanan said.

The showcase meeting at Taree offers up some very good prize money, and Buchanan will aim to head back to her Wyong stables with a win or two for connections.

View the fields, form and race replays for today's Taree meeting here.