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By Tony Megahey

Danny Beasley is relishing his return as a new registered trainer-jockey and building a team, but he’s assisting a close mate into the Kembla Highway on Saturday’s tremendous The Illawarra Mercury Gong meeting.

“I just have two rides, one of them is Gold Tracker for Michael Travers who was the  first in NSW to get a dual licence," Beasley explained after Wagga trackwork.

Danny Beasley and Cliff House land the major prize at Royal Randwick. Image by Bradley Photographers

"Michael made it possible for myself and others but he’s now retired from race riding as he's injured; I’m really happy I will be riding a cheeky chance for him.”

Gold Tracker ($26 on TAB) is a last start strong Gundagai 1400m, BM 58 winner with 61kg at the recent Snake Gully Cup Carnival and is an outsider into the $120,000, TAB Highway Class 3, 1400m episode.

However, with two strong wins recently is appealingly weighted for Beasley in his second season home from a lengthy career in Singapore with 10 Group One wins.

“I’ve won on Gold Tracker but mainly I’m coming up for Tim Donnelly in the last race - Cliff House ($26 into $13 on TAB). It’s pretty smart and I’ve won four on him.”

Cliff House with 57kg has the super strike rate of five wins and four placings from just 10 starts.

“Up to better grade like Gold Tracker but can run a race. Gold Tracker gets back, but he’s been that strong winning two from three with weight.

“Drops a stack to 55kg after a big win with 61kg at “Gundy” where back markers rarely win.”

Gold Tracker came from near last, and absolute again for a massive win at Wagga previously by near three lengths.

“If he gets a strong tempo look for him late, never early. There’s always early pressure in Highways, I’ve won a couple.

“Drawn in this gelding will appreciate the long straight. Michael would have set him for it when won with 61kg and knew he’d get in reasonably light.

“Harder obviously but still a country Class 3 off big wins and weight drop. Michael mostly rode him in races but has given it away to train and ride work.

“He’s an educated man, qualified High School teacher. We go back a way; I see him most mornings at trackwork.

“Guarantee he’ll make the natural progression to trainer, already trained 30 plus down here. Exceptional judge, gets the right feel from riding his own work.

“If he gets the support he deserves from owners here and some decent cattle he’ll make an outstanding trainer.”

Beasley has enjoyed outstanding success back home in The Riverina since riding near a decade in the far east and 10 Group I winners in Singapore.

Danny has ridden successive Royal Randwick doubles.

“Since I got my training licence, only got the one in work, originally I had three, but had to turn the others out.“Aways looking to increase numbers, I’ve got the right support back home. “

Like the majority, Beasley is convinced Matt Dunn’s Tribeca Star ($2.50 TAB favourite) who gave the Murwillumbah trainer his phenomenal 36th Highway win recently is the horse to beat again.

“He’s got these Highways down to a fine art, recent winners have had Brisbane form, Nash (Rawiller) rides, barrier one, up 2.5kg winning one of these. Has to be real hard to beat.”

View final fields with full form & race replays for Kembla Grange here