Could we see littermates win the two big Goulburn features for the first ever time in 2023?
It’s not beyond the realms of possibility as exciting duo Nangar Jim (Jo McFadyen and Kat Ernst) and Packham Silk (Anthony Azzopardi) tackle the heats of the Group 3 Ladbrokes Goulburn Cup (440m) and the Goulburn Fireball (350m) respectively on Friday afternoon.
The pair were bred and reared by the dominant Tracan Racing Syndicate and are out of smart bitch Nangar Silk.
And already the litter is airborne, winning 33 of their combined 70 starts at 47.1%.
“When the owner bought him, we knew he [Nangar Jim] had plenty of ability,” Ernst said.
“Dennis [Barnes] said the dog had a massive motor when we picked him up, but that being said, he’s probably exceeded our expectations and he’s handled everything we’ve thrown at him.”
“The only blot on his record was the Black Top heat but he just had no luck. In saying that, he trialled 29.3 leading into that series so he’s flying and I can’t fault anything he’s doing.”
The fawn dog already a winner of nine races with slashing runs of 22.13 and 24.85 over the Maitland 400m and 450m respectively.
Nangar Jim now turning his attention to the spacious one turn circuit, jumping from Box 7 in Heat 3 of the $40,000-to-the-winner Goulburn Cup.
“Once he got in trouble at The Gardens we reassessed a bit and thought we’d take him back to the one turn races. He’s only a baby and when he steps, he doesn’t always fire out, so he just needs some space to move in the first five to 10 metres,” Ernst added.
“The one turn races suit him because his speed when he gets going is amazing. His last start at Maitland, he fired out and went 7.66 which is just about a first section record [Flying Ricciardo holds the mark at 7.62].”
“Jo has taken him down to Goulburn the last two weeks and one of his runs, race caller Gary Clark said he could count on one hand how many dogs have run that well so we’re excited to see what he can do and we’re looking forward to our first ever race start at Goulburn.”
Anthony Azzopardi is no stranger to the Goulburn circuit after spending several weeks staying at the track during his recent tilt at the Black Top series.
Packham Silk had three race starts over 350m in September in preparation for the Goulburn Workers Club Fireball, with her only defeat coming at the hands of talented kennelmate Renegade Cochise.
Two subsequent wins in impressive times of 19.65 and 19.74 more than enough for the Victorian to nominate her for the heats on Friday.
“She hasn’t put a foot wrong and I’m pretty confident she can do well in the heat because she’s been there a few times now, she really took a liking to the track and she ran time on a windy day,” Azzopardi said.
“I’m happy with her in Box 4 and with Box 5 vacant, she might get a little bit more room. Hopefully she can nail the lids and do what she does. And her run on Monday at Shepparton was huge (a 1.17 length win in a BON time) so she’s ready to go.”
The Melbourne Cup winning trainer thrilled with the calibre of chaser coming out of the Central West.
“I got an offer to train this bitch through Tracey Barnes, Dennis’ daughter, and I took her after two really good runs at Dubbo. I’ve had good success with dogs coming out of Dubbo and I think she’s always looked a really nice bitch. I don’t think she’ll get 500m but 450m might be her caper and we can target some country cups in Victoria with her.”
Azzopardi will also send Renegade Cochise around in Heat 2 of the Fireball, while Battle Royal will tackle Heat 3 of the Cup.
“Renegade Cochise is very well, boxed to perfection actually, and he’s had quite a few runs there as well. I was going to the Goulburn Cup with him but we missed a run with him so we’ve dropped him back to 350m. He’s the faster of the two for sure and from Box 1, he’ll be hard to beat.”
“And Battle Royal, well this is his home track. He was broken in at Goulburn and he’s been prepared really well. He’s had a few looks and Box 8 is perfect so he certainly gets his chance. He’ll be a good price too.”
