Tamworth, Bathurst preview: Trainer Brett Cavanough still the King of the Country

Kosciuszko-winning trainer Brett Cavanough can even up his NSW/Queensland country tally with a couple of great chances at Tamworth on Monday.

Leading country trainer Brett Cavanough. Picture: Jeremy Ng / Getty Images

Six-times New South Wales Country Trainer Premiership titleholder Brett Cavanough has trained more winners in country Queensland than on his home state’s bush circuit so far this season but that could all change on Monday.

The Kosciuszko-winning trainer's New South Wales country tally currently sits at 13, one short of his Queensland total.

Cavanough’s last cross-border raid came as recently as Friday when he helped christen the first Gold Coast night meeting with a debut win to the stable’s Merchant Gold.

‘Cav’ saddles-up the three-year-old pairing By Linda and Xerxes in consecutive races at Tamworth on Monday with both afforded legitimate winning prospects by their Scone-based conditioner.

By Linda inflicted a blow to her numerous supporters when beaten into third place at Quirindi 13 days ago at the prohibitive odds of $1.40 – but with excuses.

“My apprentice (Cobi Vitler) rode her and I was a bit critical of the ride,’’ Cavanough said.

“I don’t think he helped her at all. He just sent to the corner and then just went for home on her and she’s a very hot filly, a very fractious filly, and she needs to be nursed and I just thought he rode her a touch aggressive.

“She would have went a lot better if she was ridden a little bit kinder.

“She was at her top and she couldn’t come on but if she comes back half a length, she’s got a really good turn of foot.’’

By Linda is a daughter of Blue Diamond winner Written By out of a half-sister to VRC Gilgai Stakes winner and Galaxy runner-up, Fast ‘N’ Famous.

Despite her pedigree and physique, By Linda was snapped up by Group One Thoroughbreds for $14,000 at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale in 2023.

An hour earlier at Inglis’ Riverside sales complex, Group One Thoroughbreds founder Jeremy Azzopardi signed off on an American Pharoah, now known as Xerxes, for $38,00 but still seemingly ‘cheap at twice the price’.

We will find that out one way or another after the racy looking chestnut debuts in the McDonalds Tamworth Maiden Plate (1200m).

Cavanough’s charge ($4.60) is closest in the TAB Fixed Odds market to Arrowfield entrant Peninsula ($1.90).

The latter has the rare and ignominious honour of being beaten at $1.33 and $1.44 respectively at each of two starts.

As for Xerxes, he has had something of a dramatic lead-up to Monday’s debut as his trainer explained.

“He trialled like a bomb at his first one albeit he didn’t run time,’’ Cavanough said.

“All the touts at Scone, (Paul) Messara and co, they were all on to him and thought he trialled good.

“And then he went to Tamworth (for his second trial) and refused to load. I don’t know why, maybe it was the trip away and he was quite cranky. Anyway, we had to retrial so we went to Newcastle and he was there just for a good time, he wasn’t there to be tested, he was there to load in the gates, jump out and get his ticket back – and he did.’’

Xerxes wouldn’t be out of place in the parade ring at Churchill Downs or Belmont Park given his Yankee pedigree.

As well as being a son of the US Triple winner American Pharoah, Xerxes is in fact line-bred to another Kentucky Derby winner in Unbridled.

“Xerxes has got a beautiful action,’’ Cavanough said. “ He just looks like a proper racehorse.”

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ONE of the Central West’s most exciting gallopers, Zarizatycoon, can morph from ‘possible’ to ‘probable’ Country Championship contender, starting today at home at Bathurst when he resumes after a roller-coaster first campaign.

The Gayna Williams-trained five-year-old has just three starts on his CV, all in the space of 26-days, with leading country jockey Mikayla Weir his constant companion and biggest fan.

“He won a Maiden and then came out and won again and then had a bleeding attack (in a Highway) so it is good to have him back at the races,’’ Weir said.

“All going well and everything going to plan, I think he definitely has a lot more to offer but it is going to be a case of one step at a time with him.

“There was a Tamworth meeting on the same day but I chose to go ride him at Bathurst. It is his home track and he is back in grade again from where he was before; it is a good race for him,’’ Weir says.

Zarizatycoon dominates the last at Mudgee! pic.twitter.com/mBk1krDhdI

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) July 7, 2024

While Zarizatycoon is a local, he has been dealt a visitor’s draw in Monday’s Happy Holidays Class 2 Handicap (1200m).

But what could be a blow for some horses, could end up being a boost for the hulking gelding.

“He is such a big horse and he’s a bit slow away but then he musters very quickly so drawing bad on him is good because if you drew in and you’re slow away like him and you want to pick up a couple of lengths, you can’t because other horses will cross you straight away,’’ Weir explained.

Zarizatycoon is the second foal of Nosey Tycoon who was also trained by Williams, albeit briefly.

The daughter of Written Tycoon almost pulled off a mini-plunge ($16 into $12) when beaten by inches at her Scone debut exactly 10 years minus four days ago at what was to be her only start.

Nosey Tycoon’s first foal is the Williams trained Tags who made it through to the Country Championship Final in 2022 in only to miss out on his opportunity due to injury.

Zarizatycoon is by Zariz who carved out a well-earned reputation as one of the best ‘bread and butter’ sires on the national roster.

He stood for 17 seasons fathering 898 foals.

His last foal was born on October 2 in 2019.

Its name is Zarizatycoon.

Originally published as Tamworth, Bathurst preview: Trainer Brett Cavanough still the King of the Country