Today I’m riding at Tamworth in the feature of the day, the Tamworth Cup for trainer Paul Messara. The rail is out 1 metre and the track is rated in the good range. This will be my first-time riding in Tamworth and I’m looking forward to arriving on course and walking the track.
Race 7 is the GREAT NORTHERN TAMWORTH SHOWCASE CUP over 1400 metres. My ride here is TOTAL RECALL who is trained by Paul Messara. This four-year-old gelding by Animal Kingdom is raced by Arrowfield Pastoral and partners including Alan Jones and John Leaver, who were also involved in racing Miss Finland. Total Recall is lightly raced having had 12 starts for a record of five wins and four placings and has been extremely well placed throughout his career, only missing a top three placing on three occasions. He has shown good stamina over longer distances and is a versatile galloper having won over 1400 metres and up to 2200 metres. He also races consistently on all track surfaces with winning form on good, soft and heavy ground. He raced first-up this campaign at this track and distance with the blinkers on and was successful in BM86 grade in the Tamworth Cup Prelude where he won by an official margin of 1.35 lengths. He races up in grade today, stays at the same course and distance as last start and will start from a middle to wide barrier draw. He is a horse that seems to be able to withstand pressure close to the speed and there does look to be a lot of pressure on paper in this field. His overall profile fits well for today’s race and I’m looking forward to having my first ride on him.