FORMER Warrnambool trainer Amy McDonald has her fingers crossed New Zealand-bred jumper Shamal can deliver her biggest race success in the $90,000 Thackeray Steeplechase at her old home track on Sunday.
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Shamal, on the back-up from a open steeplechase victory at Casterton last Saturday, lines up against tougher opposition in the Thackeray, according to McDonald.
"It's a good field of jumpers," she said. "Bit Of A Lad, Getting Leggie, Georgethefifth and Michelin loom as the ones to beat.
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"Shamal has done very well in the stable since his win last week but this is a tough race.
"He's only had the two runs for us for a second in the Australian Steeplechase and a win last week.
"We're very lucky New Zealand trainer Ken Duncan has given us Shamal to train because of the coronavirus pandemic.
"I'm sure Shamal will be competitive and if he happened to win it would be the biggest win in my training career."
McDonald's husband Lee Horner has ridden the nine-year-old in his two Australian starts and has the ride in Sunday's 3450-metre feature.
"Lee's got an excellent understanding of Shamal," she said. "There's no need to burden Lee with instructions.
"He's ridden around Warrnambool a lot of times. We'll just be out there giving it our best shot."
McDonald trained in Warrnambool until three years ago when she relocated her stable to Ballarat.
Shamal is a $4.50 chance in the early betting markets on the Thackeray. Eight runners have been nominated for the other jumps feature the Lafferty Hurdle.
Top weight Gobstopper has to lump 72 kilograms in the $90,000 race while veteran jumper Ancient King will be ridden by champion jumps jockey Steven Pateman.
Six jumps races are on the eight-event program.
The first race of the day is set down to begin at 11.35am and the last scheduled to start at 4.15pm.
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