BATHURST trainers Don and Andrew Ryan are making a tilt in one of regional NSW’s biggest spring thoroughbred races this Sunday when they send Annecy around in the $60,000 Dubbo Gold Cup.
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Annecy heads north for the feature event with encouraging form on her side.
If her first up start earlier this month is anything to go by then Annecy has to be considered a contender despite the step up in class.
Annecy stormed down the middle of the Mudgee straight to surge through the field and come up just a head short of No Escape.
Even after receiving a four point rise from the handicapper Annecy still enters the Dubbo Gold Cup as a minimum weight contender.
“Her last two runs have been very good. We’re very happy with her. They’ve been in better class races. She’s really stepping up,” Andrew Ryan said.
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“She’s made gradual improvements along the way. Her run the other day at Mudgee was really good.
“We’re keeping realistic expectations with her. This is a big step up in grade and quality but she deserves a chance in a race like this.”
Annecy returns to a track she’s formed a love affair with.
The Sebring mare has raced over the 1600m at Dubbo on three occasions and come away with a win twice.
In her last visit to Dubbo, in April, she made a beautifully timed sprint to the line over the mile to win by a neck.
She deserves a chance in a race like this.
- Andrew Ryan
She retains regular jockey Eleanor Webster-Hawes for the race, someone Ryan was quick to praise.
“El knows her really well. We just leave it up to her now,” he said.
“We’re very fortunate to have her. We’d be lost without her. She rides our horses the way we like them ridden.
“To be able to take a horse into races like this is great, and she’s a mare who always gives her best.”
The five-year-old has made a rapid rise up the ratings this year thanks to top two results in feature country events.
As a mare who prefers to do the chasing rather than the leading she’s been a great feature for highlight reels.
Lightly-raced mare Ave also makes a return to the track for the Ryans at Dubbo.
The Roman Emperor mare hasn’t raced since March but took out her last two races before her spell.
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Alexander Grant
Part of the Western Advocate's sports desk in Bathurst.
Part of the Western Advocate's sports desk in Bathurst.
