Angus Garrard all smiles at Menangle. Photo by Club Menangle
WITH more than 800 wins to his credit, young Queensland reinsman Angus Garrard is making the most of a working holiday at Menangle.
The 21-year-old reinsman arrived with his father Daren Garrard and a small team more than a month ago.
Their original goal was to try and grab the last spot in the $2.1 TAB Eureka with the classy Regazzo Di Tilly.
They might have missed out there but the winners have continued to flow, ensuring they stayed on at Menangle chasing some of the rich races on offer.
Wins on the likes of Catseye Beach, Golly Gee Fellas and the Vicar of Dibley have kept the stable flag flying.
And that can continue at Menangle on Saturday night with most of their team competing and Angus heading to the south-western Sydney track with possibly five winning chances.
“I’ve really enjoyed our time down here and love the racing at Menangle,” Garrard told Harness Racing NSW.
“A few things have contributed to us staying on this long and the fact the horses are racing so well has had a lot to do with it.
“We were always going to hang around for the Carousel after trying to qualify Regazzo Di Tilly for the Eureka.
“And we’ve been happy to keep earning money while we can.
“Dad (Daren) and I have been here a few weeks now with the six horses going along nicely.
“I’m not certain when we’ll head home. We’ll see how we go on Saturday before deciding what’s next.”
Garrard has had another stellar year in Queensland and has landed more than 150 winners for the past four seasons – and is heading that way again.
“I may have missed a few up home but have been happy to push for the better races while I can,” he said.
“Racing here is a bit different from Albion Park; It’s not quite as hectic racing at Menangle.
“I find that even from a poor draw you still get your chance and I like that about the track.
“Whereas as Albion Park if you are drawn wide or off the back line, you often end up last and that makes it awfully tough on the 1000m track.”
Garrard’s toughest test on Saturday night will be the $30,600 Club Menangle Frith Stakes, the night’s feature.
Garrard drives The Vicar Of Dibley, who will have to outsprint Jason Grimson’s star mares Aardies Express and Tay Tay if she hopes to add to the stable’s tally.
