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By Tony Megahey

Sue Grills and Greg Ryan, racing institutions in the NSW north east, offer their hordes of followers multiple runners and convincing form lines for Friday’s Gunnedah Jockey Club TAB meeting.

The prolific Tamworth trainer and the champion regional rider link in four of the eight races, and contest the remainder for different connections.

However a probable heavy eight track rating leaves Grills with reservations on lesser experienced runners.

“It’s a really tough day, heavy track, big fields and while Gunnedah is a lovely big track where they get their chance, I’m not sure how most of mine will handle the conditions,” Grills offered. “Greg always works it out but at this stage, Assurity in the fourth is probably my best chance; she loves rain affected tracks.

“She was really strong winning on a heavy eight at Muswellbrook last start from back in the field, and is a tough race fit mare.

“The others it’s wait and see, because most are inexperienced.”

Assurity contests an in depth Rod Dugan Memorial Class 3 over 1300m after she won by a widening two lengths recently at Muswellbrook from near last.

But significantly, Peter Graham is the rider after Ryan rode Assurity last start, with Ryan electing to ride class runner Barricade.

Barricade was highly impressive when second in a recent Randwick Highway Handicap, coming from near last behind Matthew Dunn’s talented Conniving.

Assurity carries 56kg compared to the 59.5kg allocated to Barricade.

In the sixth race, Grills and Ryan combine with promising sprinter Rothbury who resumes from a spell after impressively winning at Grafton in February.

“He’s well forward, goes really well and he handles a heavy track,” Sue offered.

Grills is represented by Mary Thinks in race one, in the second event, maidens Not a Princess and Double Space, and Fire Flight in race four.

Ryan was back in winning form on the Pat Farrell trained Pel at Muswellbrook on Tuesday.

View the fields and form (including race replays) for Friday's Gunnedah meeting here.