The old boy goes 'shopping' for another feature

HE’S a marvellous old warhorse . . . yet Gottashopearly could be a force to be reckoned with on Friday night in Tamworth’s $40,000 Multiquip Golden Guitar Final.

Trained at Tamworth by Richard Williams, Gottashopearly – or ‘Shoppy’ – as he is known around the stables, is ‘on song’ for a good showing in the final.

“If the speed is on that will suit him,” said Williams, who is proud of the 10-year-old gelding, especially in taking out the fourth heat of the of the Multiquip Golden Guitar series last Sunday evening.

“I am very grateful to be in the race – this horse deserves to be there and he has done a lot in this area.

“The Finals are a fantastic night and I’m honoured to have a runner in the Golden Guitar final.

“It is an accomplishment to get in with this horse.”

Regarded as the North West Cups King, Gottashopearly has won both an Armidale and Narrabri Cup along with two Tamworth Cups.

A win in the Golden Guitar Final would be another great title to add to the gelding’s 177-race start career, which has secured 28 career wins and 34 placings and more than $194,928 in prizemoney.

“He has raced in Victoria and Queensland as well,” said Williams with Gottashopearly also having wins at Menangle.

“It would be great to get him over that $200,000 mark in earnings on Friday night,” said Williams, who races the gelding in partnership with his fianceé Ashley McKinnon.

“He (Gottashopearly) just needed an ace drive which you get with Tommy [Ison],” said Williams after the heat win.

But a dilemma has now arisen for Williams with Tom Ison unavailable to take the drive after qualifying his own pacer Metallica Man, who won the second heat.

“I have booked Blake Hughes to take the drive,” said Williams.

“He hasn’t been behind the horse before but he has seen plenty of his races.”

Williams and McKinnon made the move from Queensland to Tamworth about six years ago and train on the Tamworth Paceway.

“It is not a million-dollar race but to be on your home track racing in front of friends and family is pretty special,” said Williams.

“I am good at holding tears back but if he wins, I reckon they will be coming out then.”

Gottashopearly gained a split on the final turn and came four-wide in the straight to score a 5.9m win over Thundamental (Anthony Varga) from the Ernie Mabbott stables in Tamworth with Heavenly Sign (Jemma Coney) from the Ty Robson stables 4.9m away third.

With a mile rate of 1.56.8 over then 1980m, his splits were 29.6s-28.9s-29.1s-30.5s and paying $16 for the win.

“Two of the favourites didn’t win their heats but they have made the final so I think it is going to be an open and very competitive race, especially when you have a track record holder in the mix as well,” added Williams.

• JULIE MAUGHAN