Latest News

Twelve months ago, Wagga Town Plate favourite Stephan was just about to start his comeback to racing as a one start maiden.

Now, Stephan is poised for a significant triumph if he can do the seemingly impossible and complete the resurrection of his career.

In the space of a year, Stephan has gone from a winning a maiden at Canberra to Sydney glory and the best could still be ahead.

Canberra trainer Gratz Vella, who will also be represented by the fast finishing Levee Bank in the $150,000 feature on Thursday, said Stephan appeared to be a lost cause before his career took off.

The $6 favourite for the Town Plate spent more time in the paddock than in training after having his first start way back in August, 2015.

“He spent about three years in the paddock as he was always injured,” Vella said.

“The horse was never going to come back into racing again. He was just about ready to race another time and he did a suspensory again.

“I thought, and the owner thought, that was it. Then one of her friends asked if there was a horse she could take a share in.

“Stephan was given another chance and he won first-up at Canberra almost three years after his first start as a two-year-old.”

Vella admitted Stephan was primed to go after carrying a big weight last start when fifth at Wagga.

“He drops 5.5 kilograms and his runs have been enormous all the way,” he suggested.

Stephan's fast finishing sixth in the Town Plate Prelude at Wagga

“This is our grand final – the race we have been talking about for a long time.

“I have a top jockey in Tommy Berry on board and I’m confident Stephan will run a big race.”

The forecast rain, and depending on when it arrives, will determine the fate of Tougherthantherest and Mercurial Lad.

Tougherthantherest will be scratched if the rain arrives prior to the scratching deadline early tomorrow, while Mercurial Lad will shorten due to his affinity for soft tracks.

Trainer Keith Dryden has already won a Town Plate with Green Waters and would love to take home another with Tougherthantherest.

“He won’t start with 60 kilograms on a track that is too wet,” Dryden said.

“He is also in at Sydney on Saturday and I will see what happens with the weather on Thursday morning.”

It’s the opposite with Mercurial Lad who won consecutive races in Sydney early this year before a last start fifth in the National Sprint at Canberra.

Trainer Paul Jones said Mercurial Lad could win another Town Plate for the stable if the rain arrives.

“If it rains it’s a bonus for him,” Jones said.

“He needs some fire out of the track for him to do his best. He will shorten in the betting if the rain comes as is predicted.”

Mercurial Lad, who took out the Gundagai Snake Gully Cup in November, is well positioned to win from barrier three where he will be able to race right on the speed.

“I think he can be in the ideal spot from there. He has the speed to lead if needed, but I think there will be enough pace on that he can position just behind the leader,” Jones said.

Mercurial Lad also has the option of racing in Sydney on Saturday where he is an acceptor.

All the fields, form and replays for Thursday's Wagga Wagga meeting