Travers dreaming of divine result in Country Championships
Michael Travers vividly remembers riding in the first-ever Country Championships final way back in 2015.
A leading country jockey at the time, Travers combined with Peter Stanley as Hollywood Nell took on the $300,000 final, won by the Todd Willan-trained Artlee (Mitchell Bell, $6).
Now an accomplished trainer in Wagga, eyeing success in Saturday’s $150,000 Country Championships Southern Districts qualifier at the Murrumbidgee Turf Club, Travers admitted it was a big step up in class against some of the best jockeys riding in Australia.
“When they first started, I rode a horse, Hollywood Nell, for Peter Stanley, and I remember it pretty well because I don’t remember my feet touching the ground for the first furlong,” Travers laughed.
“I was held pretty tight by some of the better riders up there, like Tye Angland and Joao Moreira, but it was a different experience, and it would be nice if we could get that exciting experience in the final for someone else.”
Representing the Wagga team is a $600 purchase and a fairytale horse, Jenni Divine, who’s already won connections over $54,000.
Lightly raced, the 4YO Divine Prophet mare has gained a start after being drawn as an emergency.
Jenni Divine won her maiden over 1200m at Wagga two starts back, showcasing impressive early speed and a turn of foot.
Then, taking on a loaded 1200m Class One Handicap at Goulburn on February 12, the Wagga galloper was her own worst enemy at times and was unlucky not to win, finishing third, going down a half-head to the unbeaten Midnight Moose.
“She’s racing fantastic,” Travers said.
“We took her to Goulburn the other day, and I expected her to go pretty close to winning, and we weren’t far off.
“I think if she goes straight at any stage of the race, we could have knocked it off.
“The idea was to go into Saturday’s Country Championships two on the bounce and be Johnny on the spot, but come race day at Goulburn, she got beaten.
“Still, she is going well and ready for the qualifier.”
It’s been a journey for the connections of Jenni Divine, who have had to wait a little longer than usual to see their mare racing and winning.
“She did a little bit of a suspensory tear, and they stuck well with her,” Travers said.
“She didn’t cost them a lot to get into as she was a $600 purchase, and even half of the owners, I put in for free as they were in other horses that went by the way side, but it’s been a long road, and to be stepping into a race like that on Saturday is pretty exciting.”
While the Kym Davison-trained Autumn Break is the red-hot even money favourite, Travers was excited to be involved in his first Country Championships as a trainer.
“Other Southern Districts trainers have won the race, including Doug Gorrel with Asgarda and Gary Colvin with Another One, which is great,” Travers said.
“It can be done, and I’m not sure if I’ve got the right horse as Kym Davison’s looks hard to beat, but we’ll be having a crack with Jenni Divine.”
It’s set to be a busy Country Championships program for Travers, who will have up to five runners.
Stable stalwart Mathrin (Shaun Guymer) is every chance in the Tom Patton Cup (1800m), and the consistent Menzah One (Shaun Guymer) is up and distance, and down in class when taking on the 1600m Class One/Maiden Plate.
Inzain Baby (Cory Parish) and Eagle Crescent (Mathew Cahill) then form a two-pronged attack in the $50,000 Super Maiden Plate (1400m).
Words: Jeff Hanson
Image: Trackpix Photography
