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By Tony Megahey

For Riverina training great Ron Stubbs and his newly apprenticed daughter and trackwork rider Abby, circumstances have conspired cruelly to deny them a marvellous day together at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.

They’ve done the hard work to get promising Tap ‘n’ Run ($8.50 on TAB) into a TAB $100,000 Class 3, 1500m support to a superlative day of Group racing.

But aside from the ongoing industry COVID restrictions, Abby suffered a bad fall fracturing her pelvis and is out of the saddle for an extended time.

Albury-based trainer Ron Stubbs. Picture by Wagga Advertiser

In another time if Abby was advanced enough, maybe she’d be riding their latest stable find on the big stage.

However, the in-form Jason Collett rides the dual winner with 58.5kg.

“I’m planning to come up but Abby had that fall only a few weeks back and still needs a supporting frame - occupational hazard we all know that,” explained the Albury-based veteran who has made a remarkable comeback, after almost two decades away from training.

In his prime, Stubbs was not only a dominant force in the Riverina but his expertise and eye for quality animals saw him with multiple successes interstate.

Ron won races in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide as well as numerous Country Cups and features.

He always had a hot galloper or several. The latest, grand veteran Spunlargo who won the prestige Albury Gold Cup two seasons ago.

The Stubbs are a renowned equestrian and racing family, Ron’s brother Peter was a long time CEO of Canberra Racing Club. It’s several seasons since Ron raced in town.

“Equestrian was Abby’s passion so I took a long time out to follow her into educating eventing and show horses.”

So it’s guaranteed that Tap ‘n’ Run will be primed and placed to perfection.

“We’ve always had a high opinion of him, but he’s still learning to be more tractable in his races. But he’s a nice type, in the money six of seven starts and won twice.

“But we don’t know if he’ll get ‘1500’ off ‘1100’ and ‘1200’ form. We’ll certainly know a lot more on Saturday and we’ve got the rider to find out - he’s riding so well.

“We’re drawn the middle but we’re planning to ride him back and try to get him to settle enough to give him every chance to close off strong at the 1500m. In a big field, a lot has to go right, but he’s got the ability."

In early markets So Say You is the $5 favourite in a wide-open market.

View the final fields with full form & race replays for Rosehill Gardens here