A “really special” horse last Saturday gave promising apprentice Izzy Neale her first city winner.
Despite coming off a hat-trick of country wins, the Brett Robb-trained It’s A Tata caused a boilover in the 1200-metre Class 3 TAB Highway Handicap at Rosehill, scoring at $26. 
Neale has ridden the three-year-old Pierata gelding in all seven of his race starts for an impressive record of four wins, a second and a third. 
“He’s really special to me and I think that it’s quite special that I can have my first city winner with him,” Neale said. 
“Normally he’s quick away but today he was a little bit sluggish and I had to really get up him to hold a spot, but once I did he travelled great. 
“I’ve had great support from Brett and (Scone trainer) Scott Singleton as well, so it’s just really great to be able to come here and get it done for the owners.”
Dubbo-based Robb has high hopes for It’s A Tata.
“We bought him to be a Country Championship horse and he’s on the right track for that,” he said. 
“We’ve got three or four horses on that path but the way he’s going he’s probably the best of them. 
“He just keeps improving and I think he’ll get better when he gets out over 1400 metres as well. 
“I think he’ll be a better horse after a bit more time, so we’ll tip him out for a spell now and he’ll come back in on a Country Championship path.”
Around the traps
One of the more impressive country winners last week was Zousanity, who took the $50,000 Super Maiden at Tamworth on Friday for Muswellbrook trainer Wayne Wilkes.
With Mikayla Weir aboard, the Zousain filly started a $2.05 favourite and had no problems handling the heavy 8 conditions, going on to record a 1¼-length win with a 3¾-length gap to third.
Sunday’s feature at Grafton produced a much closer finish, with $31 chance Rock The Machine getting up by a long head under Justin Stanley in the Grafton Cup Prelude (2230m) for local trainer Cathy Chapman. 
Earlier, the benchmark 66 Grafton Guineas Prelude for three-year-olds saw $1.80 favourite Swag give his backers some nervous moments before getting home by a half-neck from Clive’s Glory with $101 outsider Not So Dubious third. 
The winner, a gelding by Bivouac, is trained on the Gold Coast by Michael Freedman and was ridden by Robbie Dolan.
Wet weather forced the abandonment of last weekend’s Mungindi, Duck Creek and Wellington meetings.
Coming attractions
This Friday’s action is at Moruya and Scone, with Moruya featuring a $50,000 Super Maiden over 1425 metres. 
Saturday sees the Wean Amateur Picnic Racing Club hold its annual meeting in the North West Slopes region. A six-race program features the Wean Picnic Cup (1600m) and the Bracelet Trophy Handicap (1000m). 
On Sunday both the Clarence River Jockey Club in the Northern Rivers and the Narrandera Race Club in the Riverina will conduct Showcase meetings. 
At Grafton the $80,000 South Grafton Cup (1600m) is the feature, while the $70,000 Narrandera Cup is also over 1600 metres. Both races carry Big Dance eligibility for the winner. 
Adding to the north/south symmetry, each club will also stage a $50,000 Super Maiden over 1000 metres.
Hawkesbury coup for COO
The Hawkesbury Race Club has announced the appointment of Lea Porteous as its new CEO, commencing on July 18. 
Porteous has been employed at the club for the past 23 years, currently as chief operations officer. 
She takes over from James Heddo, who has made the decision to step back from full-time employment and return to the Central Coast. 
“It’s an incredible privilege to be appointed CEO of the Hawkesbury Race Club,” Porteous said. “I’m proud of the club’s history and its impact in the racing industry and the local community. I’m excited about the future of the club.”