Harrison primed for big weekend at Nyngan and Narromine

Strassman is expected to run a bold race at Narromine on Sunday. Image: Jeff Hanson.

Melissa Harrison and her stable are set for a big two days, with up to ten runners going around at Nyngan on Saturday and Narromine on Sunday.

It’s a big Anzac Day program for Nyngan Jockey Club, and Harrison has called on the services of Georgina McDonnell for each of her starters.

Leading the charge will be stable stalwart, Bobby’s Secret, who goes around in the Nyngan RSL Anzac Day Cup (1400m), drawing gate seven.

“It’s strong for a Nyngan Cup, and Bobby never draws a gate, but hopefully Georgie can take a sit behind the speed, and he can run another good race,” Harrison said.

The stable’s best chance at Nyngan looks to be Pattera, which has drawn gate five when resuming in the 900m Benchmark 58 Handicap.

A two-time winner, the 5YO Zoustar gelding has shown glimpses of his ability, and Harrison just wants to see him turn up and race well at Nyngan.

“He loves a 900m fresh, and his trials show us that,” Harrison said.

“We could have gone to a TAB race first-up, but I just want to get something on the board for the owners, who have been so loyal.

“His last couple of runs before a spell weren’t his best; he had a gutful, but he’s come back, and he’s really good and well in himself.”

At Nyngan, Harrison will also have Expeditiously (gate 7) in the 900m Maiden Plate and Spunky Reward (gate 1) and Pluck ‘N’ Spy (gate 4) in the 1400m Maiden Plate.

On Sunday at Narromine, Harrison will start a handful of genuine winning chances on the time-honoured Diggers Cup program.

Last-start Wellington winner Strassman takes on the 1600m/Class One Plate, and Clayton Gallagher has kept the ride.

The 4YO All Too Hard gelding won nicely in the $50,000 Super Maiden Plate at Wellington on April 12 when racing over seven furlongs, and the step up to 1600m will suit, according to Harrison.

“I think Strassman can win on his work; he’s come on unbelievably after his win and has worked really well,” She said.

“He was always going to this race; he’s going to be better over a mile.”

Of her other chances, Erion has been a picture of consistency and gets another opportunity at Narromine when taking on the 1100m Maiden Plate for the colts and geldings.

Drawn in gate six, Gallagher is in the saddle, and connections will be hopeful the 21-start maiden can land a breakthrough win.

In the fillies and mares 1100m Maiden Plate, Harrison has two runners – Sibeila and Smokin’ Genie.

Sibeila (Deon Le Roux, gate 1) makes her stable debut after previously racing with Lawrie Mayfield-Smith, even running a second in the $40,000 Maiden at Doomben back in March of 2025.

The 5YO All Too Hard mare has trialled three times in preparation for her stable debut, including a win over 1000m at Orange on March 22.

Smokin’ Genie (Clayton Gallagher, gate 10) has been racing well, and last time out, finished third in the $50,000 Maiden Plate at Wellington on April 10.

Rounding out the stable’s chances, Kelilah (Mikayla Weir, gate 6) will be second-up in the 1300m Benchmark 50 Handicap, and on her best form, will be a major player.

“Erion is going well, and should be a big chance, but they are all going well, and it’s just a matter of them getting a bit of luck,” Harrison said.

Words/Image: Jeff Hanson/Dusty Hooves Media