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By Tony Megahey

Devoted mum Anita Walder, the only trainer at Bombala, took time out from shearing sheep and mowing the track from a slasher to expand on how she bought a new outfit especially for her first-ever trip to Royal Randwick on Saturday.

No dress though - never worn one on the farm this special lady and mother of two said.

Bombala-based trainer Anita Walder. Image by Bradley Photographers

Anita, with consistent Big Steve and stable jockey Michael Travers with 56kg, are outsiders for the TAB Class 2, $100,000 Highway (1400m).

But hope springs eternal for newcomers and battlers in the series - and it is close to Christmas.

“It’s exciting, went to Cooma and bought a pair of black fashion jeans and a nice top, more shops than Bombala - never been to Randwick and I don’t wear dresses,” Anita chuckled.

"Can’t shear sheep, drive a slasher and ride trackwork in a dress.

"We just mowed the track, could hardly see the horse’s legs over the back - we’ve had record rain, only just been able to shear and it’s overload.

“We’ve got 4000 ewes and lambs, some cattle.”

Anita is under no illusions with the Queanbeyan and Moruya winner, Big Steve who also offers the consistency of seven placings.

“We’re up against the best country trainers but look, out here it’s so hard to get a horse that can win races and might be good enough for the city.

“This horse is our first real chance. So, it’s going to be exciting to find out and Michael (Travers) wouldn’t waste his time for one ride,” enthused Anita, temporarily downing the shears with hundreds of sheep in the yards to talk about Big Steve.

Big Steve (Michael Travers) romps home at Moruya. Image by Bradley Photographers

“I know they don’t give us much chance from that draw (barrier 13) but he’s so genuine and tough. We plan to go forward, no hope getting back in big field.

"We won’t die wondering. He’s part-owned by my hubby David and I. The other owners are mates, shearers and farmers,” added Anita, who spent near a decade with regional training great Barbara Joseph before taking out a licence a decade ago.

Barbara said: “‘Skeet’ is her nickname, I love her like a daughter, we talk often, I’ve got a farm in Bombala - I told her what to expect, she’s decided on her own jockey rather than a city rider - fair enough,” Barbara offered.

“She’s a bloody marvel, great mum, good cook. I don’t know how she finds enough hours in the day.

“Anita grew up with horses, loves them, she can ride, since she could walk. I just hope she gets a decent horse - this horse goes pretty good don’t worry.  She’ll have a big cheer squad, I’ll tell you that.”

Anita her husband David and father Owen manage a few thousand sheep and some cattle on two properties of a few thousand hectares in the rugged southern highlands, where the fear is always fire or floods; and they’ve been prevalent enough in recent seasons.

“Yes some tough times, I’ve got four I ride work - we mow and maintain the track and manage the sheep and cattle.

"Lot of hard work, but we love it and so do the kids, they’ll be good riders. We’re coming down Saturday morning, leaving at dawn.

"Too much work with the shearing and farms to come down any earlier.”

Barb and Michael (Travers) told her the best way in the traffic.

In early TAB betting Big Steve is $26 in a wide market where prolific series winner Danny Williams has the $6.50 TAB favourite in consistent Highway performer Shelby Sixtysix.

View the final fields with full form & race replays for Royal Randwick here