Holiday Race Day

A short and sharp Christmas break lays ahead for the many trainers, jockeys and staff throughout the racing industry. Christmas Day is a seldom day off for many of these hardworking participants. Apprentice jockey Damon Budler, fresh off taking out the Christmas Cup at Moruya aboard Man of Peace will be looking to enjoy some down time with family before mounting a number of live hopes at Thoroughbred Park’s Holiday Race Day on Friday the 27th.

“I’m starting to get a number of good rides now. It’s great.” Budler said.

“My family and I are heading to Manly to spend Christmas with my sister, it will be nice few days off”.

Budler, who is leading the Canberra Apprentice Jockey Premiership has been a rich vein of form lately and will be confident heading into this meeting’s edition of the TAB Federal. Budler rides the Len Hodgson trained Monte Majura who returns after a short 6 week freshen up. He said of his chances “he’s going well for Len (Hodgson). He doesn’t have many in work but they all go pretty well.”

“We’ll be hoping for a nice draw and a nice run.”

Balonne looks to be another major player in the TAB Federal with trainer Keith Dryden bullish about his gelding’s chances after a big second placing last time out. “He’s going extremely well. He ran the fastest final 200m and 400m splits of the whole day last meeting” Dryden said.

“He got a long way back, being last with 400m to go, but he’s run was outstanding”.

Dryden has a number of nominations throughout the card and has touted Your Knuckleship as one of his better hopes for the day. “He’s been out for over a year but he’s going really well.” Dryden said.

“He’ll take some condition out of the run and might tire 50m out but he’s a hope.”

Like Budler, Dryden will be enjoying some well-earned rest at the coast over Christmas before returning with a head of steam on the 27th at Thoroughbred Park’s Holiday Race Day. The race day will feature a jumping castle, ponycycles and face painters for the kids. Local musician Maxo will be playing on-course from 4pm.