NSW Northern Rivers trainer John Shelton has a double shot at another career-defining moment in the $1.3 million Kosciuszko.
After winning last year’s inaugural running of the 1200m Everest day support race for country-trained horses with $71 longshot Belflyer, Shelton is returning to Randwick on Saturday armed with two runners.
He’ll saddle up defending champion Belflyer ($26) along with in-form stablemate Tarbert ($41) in the strong 14-starter field.
The Grafton horseman labelled last year’s win the greatest of his 40-year career after teaming up with jockey Adam Hyeronimus.
Although he’s already scaled the mountain, Shelton insists a second Kosciuszko crown would be even sweeter.
“It would be twice as good,” Shelton told AAP.
“I’d love to see it happen but it’s a very tough race. But mine are in good nick so I’m not worried.
“If they perform well on the day, they won’t be far away.”
Hyeronimus, who rode Tarbert to his last-start win at Grafton on October 1, remained loyal to Belflyer despite having his pick of the pair, with Glen Boss then filling the void.
Tarbert, a seven-year-old gelding, has impressed on the NSW country circuit after arriving at Shelton’s stable last year from retiring trainer Hunter Kilner.
“He’s just gone from strength to strength,” Shelton said.
“We’ve spaced his runs pretty well. That’s how he seems to like to race, every two or three weeks.
“He has got a bit of fitness on his side.”
Shelton has opted for a lighter touch with Belflyer, with the eight-year-old gelding racing just twice since last year’s the Kosciuszko boilover.
“He had a little bit of keyhole surgery, nothing serious,” he said.
“We decided to give him a bit longer spell with this race in mind and have him ready to go for this race.”
They’ve both drawn wide, Belflyer (11) and Tarbert (13), but Shelton is confident their gates won’t be a factor.
“We’re not overly perturbed by it,” he said.
“They’re going to go back and they’ll both be steaming home hopefully.”
