In-form: Bella Rippin has won 4 of her 5 starts this campaign and the Golden Guitar series in Tamworth beckons Photo by Dan Costello
Everyone has a favourite holiday destination.
Big or small.
Local or abroad.
And Brisbane horseman Jamie Donovan certainly has a spot he enjoys getting to each and every year.
Donovan makes an annual visit to the country music capital of Australia, Tamworth and this year he plans on making it a working holiday.
Training a small team from Albion Park, Donovan has Bella Rippin racing in fine style and the speedy mare has now won four of her last five starts which has Donovan thinking about trip across the border.
“The week in Tamworth for the country music festival where they crown the Golden Guitar winner is an awesome week, there are people everywhere and the town has a really good vibe about it while the racing seems to get stronger each and every year.” Donovan said.
The Golden Guitar race series starts on January 22 with heats while the Listed $25,000 Prydes Easifeeds Final is scheduled five days later (January 27).
The series caters for pacers assessed for C2 to C5 class.
Bella Rippin is currently assessed as a C3.
“I’ve never had a horse qualify for the final although Dad (Mick) had Macwood Rama line up in a final (2006), he drew one but broke a hopple loop into the first corner and that ended that trip away. We had Melton Baxster win a consolation one year (2004).
“I haven’t missed many of these carnivals, the first year Dad and I went was 2004 and I think we’ve missed three years maybe since. This will be my 10th trip in 13 years and I’m really looking forward to it again.
“It’s a good little holiday, get out of town and enjoy country hospitality and take some horses and hope to snag a winners cheque to pay for the trip. This little mare is going really well and I think she deserves her chance in that type of series, she’ll handle the track no problems.”
But there is slight issue that will be monitored closely.
Bella Rippin suffers from a rare condition where she doesn’t sweat during physical activity.
“It affects her mostly in the hot weather and obviously I try to work around it, she basically works in the dark at Albion Park before the sun comes up and I try and look for races at night, especially during the summer months.
“I got lucky with a few Friday night meetings while I even looked in advance for the weather forecast yesterday (Tuesday). It’s not completely uncommon this condition and a number of thoroughbreds also have the same issue.”
The Golden Guitar heats will be staged in the twilight timeslot while the final is listed as a night meeting.
Bella Rippin has won 6 from 28 with 11 minor placings while banking more than $30,000 in stakes.
