Small team big strike rate

Hunter Valley harness racing trainer Aaron Goadsby is having one of his best seasons to date, boasting a great strike rate with his small team.

Goadsby who has trained 17 winners and 30 placegetters from just 90 runners, prepares his horses at Whittington on the outskirts of Singleton.

And it was just six years ago that he took out his license, despite having been involved in the sport for quite a while.

“We only train a limited number of pacers, we’re always on the lookout for quality and not quantity so I guess that is what you can put our good strike rate down too,” said Goadsby.

“And I always attempt to place my horses to the best of their advantage, seeking out suitable and winnable races for them.”

One youngster that Goadsby and his connections have enjoyed a good run with this season is the two-year-old Threebushelsofoats (Art Major), a filly that has won two races this season from eight race starts.

Owned by the Kirkwood family, Threebushelsofoats has competed at the highest level in her age group that included taking her place in the Gold Tiara final at Bathurst, where she had little luck when finishing down the track.

She was immediately spelled following that campaign and returned to racing in October with a second placing at Newcastle and a win at Tamworth a fortnight ago.

Tonight at Newcastle (Dec. 2), Threebushelsofoats steps up for her next test, contesting a qualifying heat of the Regional series of the New South Wales Breeders Challenge, a race that Goadsby has been eyeing off for some time.

“She was super in winning at Tamworth, breaking the track record for her age group,” he said.

“We have had this series in mind for quite a while and that was a lovely hit-out for her at Tamworth leading into the race tonight.

“This filly is fit and healthy and I am confident she will run an honest race.

“We are hoping she can qualify for next week’s final.”

Six fillies will contest tonight’s heat with the Allan Ellul-trained My Stella Rose, which will start from gate two, appearing to be the biggest threat to Threebushelsofoats.

An open field of seven will contest the Breeders Challenge heat for colts and geldings with Love Lou, a winner of four races, shaping as the horse to beat.

For complete race fields, click here.

by Michael Dumesny, for HRNSW