ALL eyes will be on Supertax when the six-year-old guns for three straight wins on the final racing program of the year for the North West region at Buchanan Park tomorrow.
The Denise Ballard-trained galloper has returned from a much-needed spell and proved too good for the competition in his two most recent runs.
Under the guidance of experienced jockey Keith Ballard, Supertax has shown the ability to hold off some of the region's most consistent runners over 1200 metres.
Ballard will once again be in the saddle for today's 1200m Open Handicap, but his riding boots will be laden with lead with Supertax weighted at 62.5 kilograms.
Trainer Denise said she was concerned the extra weight may be a factor with main challengers Grand Mark, On Bail and Repeat Offender carrying more suitable loads.
Mount Isa trainer Rob Burows who will start Grand Mark said Supertax's extra weight may help the other runners, but it would be a tough race to call and win.
"I think a few of these horses have met a couple of times recently and not much has separated them," he said.
"My horse has done all that has been asked of him, so hopefully he will be up there at the finish."
Repeat Offender, trained by Julia Creek's Tanya Parry, was pipped at the post by Supertax at their last outing at Julia Creek and will push to reverse the result after a run of minor placings.
On Bail, the second of the four runners Parry has in the Open, has yet to set the North West on fire since a win over the 1200m distance at the Prairie last month. With 14 wins from 67 starts, the nine-year-old does have the credentials to feature.
Zip It Off is no stranger to the track and the trip while Royal Thief may be looking for more distance with his best results recently coming closer to the mile.
In the race prior to the open handicap, Denise Ballard will have son Dan Ballard in the saddle with Spunk set to jump as one of the favourites in a full and competitive field.
With three wins and a placing in four starts since his arrival in the North West, the three-year-old has caught the eye of the region's racing public.
On current form the colt will be one of the main chances in the 1200m Class 2 Handicap. The main dangers look to be the Patrick Inwood-trained duo of Vivir and Megaroyale.
Another healthy field will contest the Class 5 Handicap over 1100m and it's hard to go past the Steven Royes stabled Supreme Show.
Racing in open company last week the seven-year-old ran a game third to finish within 0.5 lengths of the winner Supertax.
Unfortunately coming back to the Class 5 means Supreme Show gives his competitors a 4kg advantage.
Falvslancer has impressed in lower classes for Kerry Krogh but will be tested by the step up. Jabiru Dreaming returns for Inwood after a six-week freshen and may find it tough to make it four wins from four starts.
Inparticular brings form and a last-start win into the 1000m Class B Handicap and the Grant Wiles-trained galloper appears the one to beat after her maiden win last week. Sheer Bedlam and Kbengal will also be looking for their second career wins and a chance to move up in class. Both runners have had to settle for minor placings at recent meetings.
Racing opens tomorrow with the 1000m Maiden where Winton trainer Ray Herman brings Classic Cadillac west looking for a win. Mount Isa trainer Croyden Hampton starts Desert Sweep who will look to a rails run from barrier one.
Jockey Tim Brummell has piloted the four-year-old to a third and second place in recent starts and will hope the improvement continues.
Local racing kicks off tomorrow 2.10pm.
Email a friend