By Tony Megahey
For Albury’s wealthy, retired heavy machinery mining operator Garry Worsnop, the bigger city prizemoney is irrelevant compared to the satisfaction of making the odd impression in town with a small regional team.
And the priority of supporting his apprenticed grand-daughter Teighan Worsnop as the training veteran has $19 TAB outsider and three-race winner Just Like Liam into the $120,000 Class 3, 1400m TAB Highway at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.
Garry is under no illusions as he takes on prolific series winners, the Dale and Singleton stables and Team Messara in a support to a fabulous day of Group racing.
With 57kg for Regan Bayliss, Just Like Liam is resuming off an on-pace Albury double last preparation. And primed off successive barrier trials, the latest at Gundagai on Sunday.
Five years ago, Worsnop, who spent 30 years on big money for Queensland mining companies, had his career best horse.
Stayer Nothin’ Like Harry was an unlucky second at Flemington and placed in the Wagga Guineas before going amiss.
“Could have been anything, but this gelding is the best I’ve had since. Keeps you going at my age, the chance you might get another real good one.
“That and Teighan riding winners, on the up and loving what she does. That’s the reason I train, not the prizemoney as I’m well off.”
Teighan has ridden 54 winners, numerous for Garry before she moved from the Riverina to be indentured to leading trainer Glenn Milligan at Taree for more opportunities. And she rode a winner on arrival.
Just Like Liam has the consistency of three wins and five placings from just 12 starts.
“Smart horse, genuine and tough; Teighan rode him regularly and in last season’s Country Championships qualifier at Albury.
“He was injured out of the barriers, but he’s come back as good as ever. We’ve planned the Championships again and starting with this Highway while he’s still eligible.
“Nice trials, well weighted, three wins is form to run well in a country Class 3. There was nothing for him back home.
“And he was getting up to 62kg, too big an ask. But tough race, big fields they always are.
“Messara’s thing (Intervarsity, $2.60 TAB favourite) is way back in grade off a Listed, big win in a Highway and I see they’ve claimed.
“From down here, Wayne Carroll’s Salute Again ($23) goes well, won a Highway. But this gelding will run us a race the way he’s worked and trialled.
“The 1400m suits fresh, he’s been strong at a mile and we’re planning to possie close to the pace.”
Topweight, Intervarsity with a 3kg claim off 62kg for Zac Wadick heads the markets and on the strength of an impressive recent Highway win after a chequered passage and rearward with James McDonald.
He's way back in class after a close fourth in the recent Listed-Mona Lisa at Wyong when the horse led, but an extreme wide draw (13) is at short odds in a capacity field.
View final fields with full form & race replays for Rosehill Gardens here