Veteran Spreyton trainer Vern Poke doesn’t often have four runners at a meeting, let alone four winning chances.
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But the 77-year-old is confident that all the horses he is taking to Mowbray on Wednesday night have bright prospects.
“It would be asking a bit much for them all to win but they will all run well,” Poke said.
His runners are Chloe’s King, Emsgem, The Rockbank Flash and Posh Pursuit.
They are among a long list of interstate horses that have joined Poke’s stable this year and consistency has been their trademark.
“Of my last 32 runners, 30 have earned a stake cheque,” the trainer said.
“Chloe’s King hasn’t missed a cheque in eight starts since coming to Tasmania and earned more than $25,000.
“Emsgem has missed a cheque only once in 11 starts and earned more than $35,000.
“The Rockbank Flash has had only five runs here and was an impressive winner last start, helped by a 10-out-of-10 ride by Craig Newitt.
“And Posh Pursuit has had only two runs here and might have won last start if she hadn’t drawn the outside barrier.”
Poke uses jumping as part of his training routine and said that The Rockbank Flash and Posh Pursuit have thrived on it.
“I’ve never schooled a horse that can jump like The Rockbank Flash,” he said.
“I’ve just started schooling Posh Pursuit and she jumps brilliantly as well – she loves it.”
Poke rates the free-running Emsgem as the best of his four runners.
“She only just got beaten by West On Broadway last start and there’s no West On Broadways in this week’s race,” the trainer said.
BUCKLE UP FOR A TONGUE-TWISTER
In what could only be described as a racecaller’s nightmare, Buckle Up Izy caused a minor boilover in the $5000-to-the-winner Gold Collar final at Mowbray on Monday night.
The $11 chance found the lead early, dashed clear down the back straight and held on to beat her litter brother and kennel-mate Buckle Up Axon ($1.90 fav) by ¾ length.
Six of the eight finalists were trained by either Gary or Robyn Johnson and had Buckle Up in their name.
While there are many horse races with multiple Gee Gee runners, they are much longer than dog races and the callers have more time to get through them all.
To commentator Shane Yates’ credit, he managed to call Buckle Up Izy and Buckle Up Axon four times each, Buckle Up Kiona three times and Buckle Up Azona, Buckle Up Fraya and Buckle Up Rhonan twice each.
Not bad in 30.13 seconds.
