Matthew Dale had to think outside the box when the ACT border effectively shut to greater Sydney, giving the local trainer a logistical challenge for metropolitan meets.
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A simple trip via the Hume Highway has turned into a 24-hour operation, with transport suppliers taking the horses from Goulburn to Randwick and back for Dale's stable.
Banger undertook the feat for his Highway Class 3 Handicap (1200 metres) on Saturday, while Animalia simultaneously travelled to Flemington Racecourse with help from the Snowden's.
Dale sent five-year-old Banger to Goulburn in the morning for the handover with the trucking company.
He outsourced staff at Randwick to then strap and saddle the horse, before sending him back to capital country for the stable to pick up the following day.
"It is quite a process, a fair bit of logistics and organising. But in these times, we're lucky racing is continuing," Dale said.
"We've got to chop and change, it's moving parts all the time. It does make it harder but we can still operate, we can certainly send horses to Sydney and Melbourne as we have done this weekend."
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Jockey Tommy Berry guided Banger to fifth in the $75,000 Handicap, finishing only 1.5 lengths behind winner Pinnacle Prince.
It was his fourth start for Dale's stable, having changed hands from Craig Widdison last year.
"I thought it was a sound effort, not far beaten and looking for more. He drew an outside gate and it was probably a little bit short of his best distance," Dale said.
"He's only had the four runs for me now, so we're still working him out as well. He's definitely an older horse with a few tricks up his sleeve.
"I was happy with his performance today, albeit he didn't win but it was solid. He'll likely be back for a Highway in the coming weeks."
Dale has nine horses nominated for Wednesday's meet at Thoroughbred Park and said he'll likely have at least five runners at this stage.
Canberra Racing Club has excluded horses, trainers and jockeys hailing from areas cut off by the ACT government for the meet. The decision was made in consultation with NSW Racing stewards.
"A number of races, maidens and class races, were targeted by Sydney stables in recent months. Without those horses in those races, it makes them more winnable so to speak," Dale said.
"I do think it's a good opportunity for NSW Country and ACT trainers to target Canberra while that's the case."