Punters hungry for in-form Mr Chips at Dubbo

The Troy O’Neile-trained Mr Chips will garner a lot of attention at Dubbo on Monday. 

The in-form galloper, winning two of his past three starts, is the current $3.40 favourite in the 1600m Benchmark 66 Handicap, after drawing well with gate two. 

Jenny Duggan is in the saddle, and she has tasted success on the 5YO Casino Prince gelding. 

The pair teamed up for a dominant 3.5 lengths victory in the 1400m Maiden Handicap at Tamworth on November 25. 

Mr Chips then finished an unlucky second in the 1400m Class One Handicap at Inverell on January 1, with Chelsea Hillier in the saddle as the pair went down by a long neck. 

Duggan was back on board at Gunnedah on January 19, and placed well by O’Neile in a 1600m Class One Handicap, the Tamworth galloper cruised to a comfortable two-length victory. 

“He’s travelling awesome,” O’Neile told Country Punter. 

“The way he cantered to the line, he didn’t have to be tested at Gunnedah.” 

Duggan has been the secret to Mr Chips’ success, and O’Neile praised the riding of the Swedish-born jockey.

“She gets the job done,” O’Neile said. 

“She probably doesn’t always get the opportunities she deserves, but she’s ridden him well and always rides well for us.”

When asked about the Dubbo race and Mr Chips’ chances, O’Neile wasn’t writing off his rivals, suggesting it was a tough event with a few chances.

“There are two in there that have a bit of form, and the top weight (Awesome Tycoon) isn’t useless,” O’Neile said. 

“It’s a good race for him, but it’s not going to be easy. 

“We won’t want to get stuck on the fence; Jenny has to keep him in the clear because that’s what cost him at Inverell after he got cluttered up too long. 

“From the draw, I think he’ll nearly end up as he did at Gunnedah, in that space between the leaders and the rest of the field, which will be good.”

The O’Neile stable has been in good form, landing five winners since November.

With 15 in work, and some nice young horses coming through, the vibes are good around the Tamworth team.

“Everything has been going good, and we’ve had some good results,” O’Neile said. 

It’s set to be a good meeting, with an extended ten-race Dubbo program, which jumps at 12.10 pm.

Words: Jeff Hanson

Image: Bradley Photos