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By Geoff Newling

Keepa Coming is one of two chances Tamworth trainer Troy O’Neile has running at Tamworth on Tuesday and he hopes the gelding can turn around some ordinary efforts of late and follow the performance of stablemate Try ‘N’ Run A Muck.

Try ‘N’ Run A Muck won the Royal Hotel Warialda Benchmark 65 Handicap (1300m) at Moree last Friday for O’Neile and owner Dave Bastable, who is a Tamworth Jockey Club committeeman. It was the gelding’s fourth race win in 23 starts and boosted his prizemoney to just shy of $70,000.

“He did win real well out there,” Troy O’Neile said. “I’m sure Dave wanted to get off at the 100m but get back on at the 25m,” he laughed of a happy, generous and good owner. “He’s great bloke, loves the sport.”

Bastable is part of a Tamworth Jockey Club committee that has a big day awaiting racegoers at tomorrow’s Carlton Mid Melbourne Cup Raceday at the track. While there are only five non-TAB races it is always a huge day with buses transporting racegoers to and from the track while there is also a savvy Birds Fashions on The Field with some massive prizes.

For Troy O’Neile, though, a win with either Keepa Coming or Lady Vidia would be a great result. Keepa Coming contests the $6000 Carlton Midstrength Benchmark 49 Handicap (1300m) and will jump from barrier six if the two emergencies come out.

“He hasn’t done much lately though,” Troy said. “Although he has been racing in open company. Hopefully a drop back in grade will help.”

Lady Vidia is a different proposition though when she runs in the second race of the day, the Courthouse Hotel Class 1 Handicap (1000m). She has drawn well in four with Melissa Brown on board.

“She ran well at Armidale the other day,” Troy said. “She’s a good chance back in weaker grade. She broke her maiden when she won a Class 1 at Quirindi on Boxing Day but had a few underlying issues and injuries since that. She ran a nice third first up and then fourth. I think she’s a good chance.”

The TJC program begins at 1.40pm with the Pig And Tinderbox Class 2 Handicap (1900m).

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