Tamworth’s Annual Carnival Comes To A Close With Terrific Final
This Saturday, Tamworth Greyhound Racing Club's annual carnival will come to a close with the running of four fantastic finals, highlighted by the $2000 Sportsman's Hotel Bingarra Tamworth Cup over 457 metres. The two week carnival has attracted some of NSW's best provincial propositions with Saturday's decider shaping up to be a tantalizing demonstration of canine speed and tenacity.
Heading into the Cup as the early favourite is the talented veteran Seedy Special who qualified for the event as the fastest heat winner last Saturday when defeating Flashing Mulwee by four and a half lengths clocking an impressive 25.95 seconds. The chaser is trained at West Tamworth by Ben Spence and is owned by ten mates who work at CDA (hence the name Seedy) at Broadmeadow with Craig Stubbs the listed owner. By pooling their money, the men were able to purchase the son of Trewly Special from Mick Brown and Beau Hedley out of the fantastic broodbitch Golorinda, who has thrown some outstanding pups including the likes of Micro Benny, Avondale Queen, Domino Vitali and Shy Flyer with the knowledge that although he had a motor he was a bit of a loose cannon.
Seemingly things haven't changed with the 32 kilogram greyhound, with Spence describing his waywardness, “He is mad and I have to hide from him when he is in the let out yard. Julie (Ben's partner) can handle him but he just tries to knock me over thinking he is going racing, he's a lunatic”.
Despite his cheeky disposition, Seedy Special is currently in career best form as demonstrated when he claimed victory in both the Mudgee and Coonabarabran cups earlier this year, whilst he also annexed a feature race at the Coonamble Carnival over the October long weekend last year where he was successful twice throughout the duration of the carnival. In addition to this, the black speedster also made the final of the Armidale Cup, with a win in his hometown cup within sight for Spence and his syndicate of dedicated owners.
The biggest obstacle standing in Spence's way to Cup triumph is definitely Charlie Northfield who comes into the event with a three pronged attack. Making the long trip from Stratheden to Tamworth, Northfield will line up litter sisters Erin Norris and Proper Lilly from boxes two and six respectively, whilst he will also put the polish on pink runner Easy Drinking, with the well performed Proper Lilly looking his main chance despite the horror draw. Whilst these handy performers will endeavour to bring Seedy Special undone in the final, the rangy black veteran of 67 starts will be in it up to his ears in search of his seventeenth win at what will be his trainers second attempt at the Tamworth Cup feature. Whilst he may have taken sixteen starts to crack his maiden status, Seedy Special has been quite the turnaround for Spence earning over the $11,000 mark- a big enough amount for his syndicate of owners to purchase their next prospect- a stunning black Cosmic Rumble pup who is about to be broken in.
A win would also be special for the syndicate this week, as none of them have had a chance to witness him salute despite winning sixteen races including a dominant victory at Unibet Gardens in March, which could be considered the owners home track. With a myriad of trophies and photos confirming his talent and success, it would be the ultimate thrill if they can experience their first win as owners live at the track with a dog that is absolutely in career best form.
Whilst Seedy Special is the kennel star, Spence has eight dogs in work all up, with seven engaged in this Saturday's meeting. In the $800 Ed Thompson/ Kevin Smith Appreciation Dash for Cash Final, the 26 year old mentor will line up both Princess Bec and Li Nina Valley from boxes four and five respectively. In the John Jordan Memorial, Spence will be hoping that rails runner Sheza Big Girl can pick up the $1000 winners cheque, whilst in the Duke's Ice Maiden Final Em Eye Aye will be looking for her first win after ten starts. If these two runners do cross the line in first position it will add an extra $250 each to the 65 Roses Challenge held for Cystic Fibrosis in which GRNSW donates $250 for each red rug winner that wins throughout the month of May at appointed meetings.
With chasers engaged in all features, this Saturday has the potential to be a very lucrative trip to the local track for Ben Spence. Whilst any of the finals would be a great achievement, a win with Seedy Special in the Tamworth Cup decider would stamp the sprinter as a true country circuit king whilst it would also be a dream come true for his trainer; a meat processing plant manager who is an intrinsic part of the success of the Tamworth Racing Club.