Michael Travers Racing

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<div style="text-align: left;">Michael Travers continued his strong start to the 2026/27 season with wins at Tumut and Albury over the past week and a half.Travelling to Tumut for the annual Derby Day meeting, local owners were on course as Jenni Divine rediscovered her best form, triumphing in the 1200m Benchmark 58 Handicap.Rebecca Bronett-Prag was in the saddle as the 5YO Divine Prophet mare put two lengths on her rivals, showcasing a nice turn of foot on the home turn before powering to a strong victory.Jenni Divine is a mare with ability, having been tested in the $150,000 SDRA Country Championship Qualifier at Wagga back in February. Not one for wet tracks, as Travers discovered during winter, she was subsequently freshened up and has returned in great order.Travers also tasted success at Albury on Friday, with Santolini continuing a great preparation when landing the fifth win of her career.The 5YO Manhattan Rain mare, having her third start since returning to Travers’ stable in late September, followed up a recent win at Wagga on October 3 and a second-place effort at Canberra on October 23 with victory in the 1175m Benchmark 58 Handicap at Albury.Brodie Loy was in the saddle as Santolini raced at the rear of the field before unleashing a devastating finish to win by the best part of a length.The consistent mare, who has won all of her races while under Travers’ care, has now earned connections over $130,000 in prizemoney.With ten wins under his belt in 2026/27, Travers will now turn his attention to the Snake Gully Cup carnival on November 13-14, before Albury’s meeting on November 19 and Hay’s meeting on November 21.Words: Jeff Hanson/Dusty Hooves MediaImage: Kylie Shay/Trackpix Racing Photography</div>

Tumut and Albury Wins Continue Strong Season

Michael Travers

With 42 starters, nine winners, and multiple feature race victories, October has been one of Michael Travers Racing’s best-ever months. Here’s a look back at a remarkable month for the stable.A Massive Day At Lockhart For MTRThe MTR team came away with three winners from four runners, with Backflips, Gettin’ Tipsy and Roullottie all getting the job done at Lockhart Picnics on Friday, October 2.Backflips broke through in the 1200m Maiden Plate and Gettin’ Tipsy made it two from two for the stable in the 1200m Conditional Picnic Handicap.Roullottie then topped off the day with victory in the Lockhart Verandah Town Cup, while Gold Tracker also ran a solid third in the Cup to round out a terrific day for the team.It was also a brilliant day in the saddle for Bessie Dimery, who partnered all three winners.A Wagga Win For MTRSantolini unleashed a huge finish at Wagga, with Brodie Loy steering the 5YO Manhattan Rain mare to an eye-catching victory in the 1200m Benchmark 50 Handicap on Saturday, October 3.Returning to the stable for a win, it was another terrific result for the team.Star Empire Shines At CootamundraBack with MTR and first-up for the stable, Star Empire had Brodie Loy in the saddle as the pair scored an impressive win in the 1200m Benchmark 58 Handicap at Cootamundra on Sunday, October 4.The result continued an awesome October long weekend, making it five wins in three days.Roullottie Goes Back-To-BackFollowing her win in the Lockhart Verandah Picnic Cup, Roullottie backed up with victory in the Burrrangong Picnic Cup at Young on Saturday, October 10.It was Emily Harrison in the saddle as the 6YO Casino Prince mare landed her fourth career win, all but securing her place in next year’s $50,000 Picnic Championships.A Special Win For Our Old Boy Gold Tracker!There’s something extra satisfying about seeing one of your stable stalwarts get the job done, and Gold Tracker certainly gave us plenty to smile about at Albury on Saturday, October 24.The 7YO Xtravagant gelding finished strongly under Blaike McDougall to claim the 1600m Benchmark 66 Handicap, bringing up his seventh career victory and taking his earnings beyond $200,000.Now a 58-start veteran, Gold Tracker began his career with Peter Moody before joining our team ahead of his third start, and he’s been part of the furniture ever since. A brilliant horse and a brilliant result.Gettin’ Tipsy Gets It Done At Harden!Gettin’ Tipsy made it two wins and a placing from three starts, continuing her brilliant form with a terrific performance in the 1200m Conditional Picnic Handicap at Harden on Saturday, October 24.With Leandro Ribeiro in the saddle, Gettin’ Tipsy got the job done in style, giving the MTR team and her connections another reason to celebrate.Jenni Divine Breaks Through At TumutRebecca Bronett-Prag gave Jenni Divine a beautiful ride as she powered to victory in the 1200m Benchmark 58 Handicap at Tumut on Saturday, October 31.The win was made extra special with owners Blake and Amy Bye and Michael Bailey on hand to enjoy the moment with us. A fantastic way to close out the month.Training Tactics WorkingEvery horse is different, and at MTR, Mick tailors training plans to suit each individual.Our recently acquired treadmill, for example, is playing an important role in the preparations of both Jenni Divine and Cinephile.Cinephile is predominantly trained on the treadmill and has been racing consistently, placing in three of his past four starts.Jenni Divine is trained exclusively on the treadmill, and the 5YO Divine Prophet mare’s form has turned a corner, with a TAB placing at Albury leading into Saturday’s breakthrough win at Tumut.MTR also utilises the water walker at Yirribee Pacing Stud, with most horses in the stable spending time there on Wednesdays following Tuesday trackwork. Gold Tracker is a notable example, coming out of the water walker recently to win at Albury.Charlie Getting Closer To A StartThis month, our apprentice jockey Charlie-Anne Murray celebrated a year since first coming out of the barriers.Charlie is an integral part of the MTR team and will soon be heading to the picnics to begin her riding career. With Roullottie on track to contest next year’s $50,000 NSW Picnic Championships, she’ll have a big race to look forward to when that day comes.Returning Duo Edge Closer!Pussyfoot and Sonic Scene are back on track after working alongside Gettin’ Tipsy earlier this month.The pair have been on the road back from tendon injuries, spending time on the treadmill and in the water walker and are doing everything right. We won’t be rushing either of them, but fingers crossed they continue to progress nicely.OTTB NewsFormer MTR galloper Eagle Crescent is loving life after racing.A beautiful ride, Eagle Crescent is now with Ellie and will be working with cattle, with campdraft competitions potentially on the horizon. We love receiving updates from our retired gallopers and wish Eagle Crescent all the best in the next chapter.What’s AheadWith Melbourne Cup weekend behind us and a busy period ahead, several of our unraced horses will be coming back into work as we prepare our next generation of stars.We expect plenty of new faces to step out in 2025, including stable favourite Penny Lover, who is certainly one to add to your blackbook.On track, we’ll have runners across both days of the Gundagai Snake Gully Cup carnival (November 13-14), along with SDRA meetings at Albury (November 6 and 19), Wagga (November 28) and Hay (November 21).Follow Us On SocialTo keep up to date with all things MTR, follow us on&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092478655022" style="color: rgb(150, 96, 125); text-decoration: underline;">Facebook</a>,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/michaeltraversracing/" style="color: rgb(150, 96, 125); text-decoration: underline;">Instagram</a>,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://x.com/TraversRacing" style="color: rgb(150, 96, 125); text-decoration: underline;">X</a>,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@michael.travers.r" style="color: rgb(150, 96, 125); text-decoration: underline;">TikTok</a>,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.threads.com/@michaeltraversracing" style="color: rgb(150, 96, 125); text-decoration: underline;">Threads</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/@MichaelTraversRacing" style="color: rgb(150, 96, 125); text-decoration: underline;">YouTube</a>.From ownership opportunities and stable updates to results and breaking news, you’ll see everything on our socials first.

Newsletter: An October To Remember For MTR

Michael Travers trained a winning double on Saturday, tasting success at Albury and Harden as his stable continues its recent run of strong form.At Albury, stable stalwart Gold Tracker ($8) broke through for his seventh career victory, triumphing in the 1600m Benchmark 66 Handicap.With Blaike McDougall in the saddle, the pair raced quietly in the early stages before powering to the line to win.Gold Tracker, who arrived at Michael Travers Racing as a two-start maiden in 2022 after starting out with the Peter Moody stable, has now had 58 starts for seven wins, 14 minor placings and prizemoney earnings of $201,095.It was a good day all round at Albury, with Kutina Bay ($21) making an impressive debut, finishing strongly for third in the 900m Maiden Plate for Josh Richards. Stablemate Jenni Divine also found some good form, hitting the line well in the 1000m Class One Handicap.Meanwhile, at Harden, the in-form Gettin’ Tipsy continued her recent good run of form. Coming off a win at Lockhart in a 1200m Conditional Handicap on October 2 and a third placing in a 1400m Class One Handicap at Albury on October 10, the 5YO Stratum Star mare started as the $2.20 favourite and was too good for her rivals, with Leandro Ribeiro in the saddle.Travers has enjoyed an October to remember, preparing eight winners in the Southern Districts and rocketing up the SDRA trainer’s standings to third, trailing only Doug Gorrel (9) and Craig Weeding (9.5).The stable is now preparing for meetings at Wagga on Friday, Tumut on Saturday and Corowa on Monday, over what shapes as a huge Derby Day weekend leading into Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup. Words: Jeff Hanson Image: Trackpix Racing Photography

Saturday Double Continues Strong Season

While the 2025/26 NSW Picnic Champion Series final was only recently run and won at Dubbo, the Michael Travers-trained Roullottie has set the tone for the 2026/27 season.The six-year-old Casino Prince mare has landed back-to-back cup wins, triumphing at Lockhart on October 2 before backing up eight days later to win at Young on October 10.At Lockhart, the feature on the program was the Verandah Town Cup over 1400m, and with Bessie Dimery in the saddle and carrying only 62kg, Roullottie found the front and kicked on strongly to win the four-horse race by nearly four lengths.On Saturday at Young, the Wagga galloper faced a tougher assignment, this time with Emily Harrison on board in the 1400m Burrangong Picnic Cup.Still, Roullottie, allotted 64kg, showed enough early dash to find the front and was again resolute, holding on tenaciously to beat a good field of picnic gallopers that included East Harlem, Vastly, Hemsted and Blackhill Kitty.Travers is now looking ahead to the Harden Picnic Cup (1400m) on Saturday, October 24, where he is hoping Roullottie can win again and all but seal her place in next year’s $50,000 Picnic Champion Series final.Roullottie will still get into the race with a decent weight, and it will be a good opportunity for connections.While he will target Harden, Travers turns his attention in the meantime to a busy week ahead, including Saturday’s program at Wagga, where he will have up to six runners. Words: Jeff Hanson

Roullottie Sets Early Tone in Picnic Champion Series

With 15 starters across three meetings, results were always going to define Michael Travers Racing’s success over the October long weekend.&nbsp;Heading to the races confident of success, Travers prepared five winners, including a treble at Lockhart picnics on Friday and TAB winners at Wagga on Saturday and Cootamundra on Sunday.&nbsp;“It is always a good confidence boost for the stable and the horses when you can get a few winners like that,” Travers said.&nbsp;“We found the right races for the right horses, so it was a good weekend.”&nbsp;At Lockhart,&nbsp;Roullottie&nbsp;won the Verenderah Town Cup (1400m),&nbsp;Backflips&nbsp;took out the Maiden Plate (1200m) and&nbsp;Gettin’ Tipsy&nbsp;made a nice stable debut, winning the Conditional Picnic Handicap (1200m).&nbsp;It was also a red-letter day for Bessie Dimery, who works for fellow Wagga trainer Gary Colvin. The amateur jockey rode all three winners, scoring the first treble of her career.&nbsp;Despite racing at the picnics, a win is a win according to Travers, who was thrilled to see&nbsp;Roullottie, whom he owns, drop back in grade and score the third win of her career in Lockhart’s feature event.&nbsp;“Any return to owners is good,” Travers said.&nbsp;“Roullottie could have gone around at a TAB race and finished midfield, winning $500. Instead, we won at the picnics and got $5000.”&nbsp;Following a huge day at Lockhart, Travers watched on as the returning&nbsp;Santolini, with Brodie Loy in the saddle, showcase a good turn of foot, storming to victory in the 1200m Benchmark 50 Handicap at Wagga.&nbsp;At Cootamundra, it was another returning galloper first-up for Travers in&nbsp;Star Empire. Loy again took the ride as the pair finished strongly to win the 1200m Benchmark 58 Handicap.&nbsp;Both gallopers are raced by Dani Hamlin and Greg Brown, who also watched on as&nbsp;Cinephile&nbsp;(Nick Heywood) ran a good second in the 1675m Benchmark 50 Handicap at Wagga, making it a profitable weekend for all involved.&nbsp;“Those horses were in the right races on the day, and I only wish Cinephile had won as they had a $50 all-up going to win $12,000,” Travers laughed.&nbsp;“They have been good owners, and with me for a long time. They enjoy their horses and racing and have supported me, so it’s good to have those results.”&nbsp;Travers will be looking to continue the strong run this week, with runners entered for the Burrangong picnic meeting at Young and the TAB meeting at Albury, both on Saturday.&nbsp;“There’s lots of racing, and we have been trying to gear up for it for a while and make sure the horses are ready to go come carnival time, as there are a lot of meetings around here for us,” Travers said.&nbsp;“We have 15 to 20 horses ready to go and we’ll have a crack at these meetings as they arrive.” Words/Image: Jeff Hanson

Five wins and feature races headline MTR’s long weekend

Michael Travers kicked off the October long weekend in fine style, combining with amateur jockey Bessie Dimery when scoring a winning treble and securing the feature race at Lockhart picnics on Friday.The main event on the program was the $10,000 Verandah Town Cup over 1400m, and Roullottie got the chocolates for Travers and connections while bringing up the stable’s third win of the day.Carrying only 62kg – at least 5.5kg better than her rivals – the six-year-old Casino Prince mare was a class above, winning by 3.68 lengths.Roullottie ($3.50) is now a three-time winner and has raced well this preparation, winning two races.Earlier on the program, Backflips kicked off a winning day for MTR, taking out the 1200m Maiden Plate.&nbsp;Dimery rode the three-year-old Acrobat filly patiently from gate four, and the pair got home in the nick of time to win by 0.1 of a length.Then in a small three-horse field, Gettin’ Tipsy made a nice stable debut in the 1200m Conditional Picnic Handicap and was a good three-length winner.The five-year-old Stratum Star mare has now won two from 14.Travers will turn his attention to a massive weekend, where he has a slew of runners at meetings at Wagga on Saturday and Cootamundra on Sunday.With five runners at Wagga and six chances at Cootamundra, the stable’s best could be Mathrin in the Cootamundra Cup.With rain about and a wet forecast, the Wagga mudlark will be suited to the conditions, and she has attracted the services of leading Southern Districts jockey Blaike McDougall. Words: Jeff Hanson Images: Kylie Shaw/Trackpix Racing Photography

Cup win and Lockhart treble for Travers and Dimery

<div style="text-align: left;">Stepping back from metropolitan racing, Michael Travers will be hoping&nbsp;Seasmoke&nbsp;can land a well-deserved win at Wagga on Saturday as he eyes the upcoming Subzero Handicap for his popular grey mare.Before finishing down the track in a 1400m Class Two Highway Handicap at Rosehill Gardens on August 29, the 4YO Dracarys mare had been racing consistently.As a Class One galloper, resuming in a 1200m Class Two Handicap at Narrandera on July 12 with Pierre Boudvillain aboard,&nbsp;Seasmoke&nbsp;raced wide and found the front before finishing second, beaten a half-length.Then racing at Albury on August 18 in a 1400m Class One Handicap with Blaike McDougall riding, she found one better on the day, finishing a well-beaten second in heavy conditions to the Doug Gorrel-trained Fair Master.Most recently racing in town, the Wagga galloper drew wide in a tough Highway Handicap, was forced to go back for Alysha Collett, and was never a winning chance.Back in grade and distance, Seasmoke still runs into a nice race at Wagga when taking on the 1200m Benchmark 58 Handicap, which includes promising galloper Serenading from the Danny Beasley camp.Still, Travers is confident in the mare’s ability and is dreaming of starting her in the 1400m Subzero Handicap at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day.The race is restricted to greys, and Travers admitted it was a pipe dream but a goal for connections, who have enjoyed racing the consistent&nbsp;Seasmoke.“We have always toyed with the idea of putting her in the greys’ race on Melbourne Cup Day,” Travers said.“Whether she is good enough is another thing, but it would be a good experience for connections and that’s our current goal, but first, we need to win at Wagga.”It’s been a somewhat frustrating preparation for&nbsp;Seasmoke, who has missed out on multiple runs due to abandoned meetings at Albury and Wagga.Tough draws haven’t helped either, and while Travers conceded it was part and parcel of racing, he said the outside barrier would make things challenging on Saturday.“We’ve just had bad barriers and had to scratch from Goulburn, but at some stage you have to go around and suck it up,” Travers said.“At least being at Wagga, we walk across the road. It’s a good race and there are no easy races to win these days.“These (Benchmark) 58s generally have a progressive type or two, and we’ll be hoping she can do her best and get the job done like we know she can.”Reigning NSW jockey of the year Pierre Boudvillain will jump back aboard Seasmoke ($12), and Travers said it would be up to the Frenchman to navigate his way from what will most likely be gate 11 of 11.“I won’t be giving him instructions; I’ll just tell him good luck,” Travers laughed.“It is one of those gates where he will have to make a decision in the first 100m, whether he can find a spot midfield, take a sit deep and find some cover, or just go back. But that will be up to him.”Travers has a strong team entered at Wagga, with&nbsp;Not Guilty&nbsp;(Michael Heagney, $4.60) contesting the 1200m Maiden Handicap,&nbsp;Iroqaui&nbsp;(Blaike McDougall, $11) in the 1000m Class One Handicap, and&nbsp;Cinephile&nbsp;(Pierre Boudvillain, $16) in either the 2000m Benchmark 58 Handicap, where he is an emergency, or alternatively, the 1600m Benchmark 58 Handicap.Not Guilty&nbsp;is well placed after the 5YO Shamus Award gelding made his stable debut in a 1000m Maiden Plate at Gundagai on September 6, finding the front after getting through some work and only going down 1.38 lengths to impressive winner Tallingas Avanati.“They are all chances, but Not Guilty is my best,” Travers said."He did really well at Gundagai; he did all the hard yards, put paid to the odds-on favourite, and looked the winner but got beaten by a horse that looks to be pretty handy.“He’s done everything right since then, and all he has to do is reproduce that effort and he’ll be hard to beat.”Travers won’t be at Wagga on Saturday for the popular Aggies Race Day and will instead be in Sydney, where he will start the in-form&nbsp;Teresprit&nbsp;(Louise Day, $81) in the 1000m Class Three Highway Handicap.The 5YO Territories mare has been a picture of consistency since winning a 1000m Benchmark 50 Handicap at Gundagai on June 27, running placings at Wagga in July and Gundagai and Corowa in August.“With any luck, she wins her next race, and the reason we are going to Sydney is that it is the only race around for her,” Travers said.“There’s nothing around here for the next two to three weeks, and to be honest, I nominated thinking she would get balloted, but she’s got a run and we are heading down today and will have a throw at the stumps tomorrow.” Words/Image: Jeff Hanson</div>

Travers dreaming of Melbourne feature for grey galloper Seasmoke

<div style="text-align: left">Red-hot Wagga trainer Michael Travers will have NSW’s leading jockey aboard four big chances at Gundagai on Saturday, the headline act in a massive few days that also takes in Rosehill Gardens, Dubbo and Albury.Travers, who is enjoying his best season to date with 32 winners in 2025/26, will appreciate having Pierre Boudvillain in the saddle. The Frenchman leads the NSW title with 128 victories, 14 clear of nearest rival Tommy Berry.“He’s riding fantastically well,” Travers said."He got the best out of Roullottie for us at Narrandera the other day, and he’s ridden quite a few winners for us, so I’m really happy to be able to get him on all of my runners at Gundagai.“As you know, every little advantage helps, and we have come up with some good draws as well, so hopefully we have the right horses.”Kicking off the team’s chances is Second Witness (gate 2) in the 1180m Maiden Plate, while the stable’s best chance could be Aerial Artist (gate 1) in the 1000m Maiden Handicap.The 3YO Trapeze Artist gelding steps back from full TAB maidens, where he hasn’t been far off the pace, and he finally lands a soft draw for connections.Teresprit (gate 10) is a capable type on her day, and she will go around in the 1000m Benchmark 50 Handicap.Last-start winner Roullottie (gate 1) will also take some beating in the 1400m Benchmark 50 Handicap. The 5YO Casino Prince mare was given a wonderful front-running ride to win by two lengths in the same grade and distance at Narrandera on June 13.“Roullottie should go forward from the inside draw, and we’ll see if Pierre can go back-to-back on her,” Travers said.Away from Gundagai, Demi God is a reserve in the 1500m Class Three Highway Handicap at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday, while Jenni Divine heads to Dubbo for the 1300m Benchmark 58 Handicap Winter Country Classic Final.The 4YO Divine Prophet mare ran an eye-catching third in the qualifier and shapes as a big improver in the final, but Travers said he will only make the long trip if the track doesn’t descend into a heavy rating.Then on Monday, the stable could have up to seven starters at Albury, where it will likely be a heavy racecourse.Inzain Baby (Blaike McDougall, gate 10) resumes in the 1000m Maiden Plate and will probably need the run, while Swinging High (Damon Budler, gate 6) gets conditions to suit in the 1600m Benchmark 58 Handicap after a placing at Albury last time out.Renowned Riverina mudlark Mathrin (Carly Frater, gate 11) is fresh off a big win at Wagga and will relish the wet conditions in the 1400m Benchmark 82 Handicap.Travers then could have up to four chances in the Country Boosted 1175m Benchmark 58 Handicap. Brutal Force (Blaike McDougall, gate 1) leads the charge, with the 4YO Brutal gelding fresh off back-to-back wins at Dubbo and Wagga.Seasmoke (Cory Parish, gate 13) resumes, while recent Albury winner Iroquai (gate 16) and Albury placegetter Taluk (gate 8) are also entered.“Mathrin and Brutal Force will be good chances; both are proven wet trackers and last-start winners,” Travers said.“It’s the right time of year for them, and hopefully we run into a wet track.” Words: Jeff Hanson/Dusty Hooves Media Image: Kylie Shaw/Trackpix Racing Photography </div>

Travers and Boudvillain look to continue their success at Gundagai 

<div style="text-align: left">Winning doubles at Albury and Wagga, on the back of recent victories at Dubbo and Narrandera, has helped Michael Travers to one of his best weeks as a trainer. Brutal Force (Jean Van Overmeire) kicked off a busy month, winning the 1100m Class One Handicap at Dubbo on June 5, before Roullottie (Pierre Boudvillain) triumphed in the 1175m Benchmark 50 Handicap at Narrandera on June 13. Then, racing at Albury on Tuesday, Travers combined with Blaike McDougall as Iroquai won the 1175m Maiden Handicap and Demi God saluted in the 1400m Class Two Handicap. On his home deck at Wagga on Sunday, Travers watched the in-form Brutal Force, again ridden by Van Overmeire, make it back-to-back victories in the 1200m Benchmark 58 Handicap. Purchased for just $3,000 via Inglis Digital earlier this year, the four-year-old son of Brutal has proven a bargain buy — Sunday's win taking his record for the stable to an impressive three wins and $41,925 from just five starts. Capping off a remarkable day and week, stable stalwart Mathrin added another chapter to her storied career, relishing the Heavy 10 conditions to claim the 1600m Benchmark 82 Handicap by a whopping 3.47 lengths. The Queen of the MTR stable, the tough mare dug deep for Carly Frater when it mattered most, showcasing the determination and heart that have made her such a valued member of the team. The victory was the 10th of her career and came at her 97th start — a testament to her durability, consistency and sheer will to win. "She's a marvel, isn't she?" Travers said of Mathrin. "She has held the stable together for years, and hopefully we can keep her around a little bit longer. "We had her here on a wet track last start, and she had to perform. We got a little bit unlucky and just missed the run at the top of the straight, but she hit the line powerfully to run third at big odds. Today, with a really heavy track, I was pretty confident." When asked about his big week, Travers put the results down to a team thriving on rain-affected tracks. "It's been a fantastic couple of weeks, and this is my time of year," he said. "When it starts getting wet, it suits us. They're all thriving at the moment, and hopefully we can keep them going." Travers is now on 97 career wins and is rocketing toward the century mark, after only deciding to take up training in 2020. The former respected jockey, who rode nearly 1,000 winners, landed his first career victory as a trainer in April 2021 — becoming the first NSW-licensed trainer/jockey to win a race when Estaverdi broke through at Gundagai. Two years later, Travers hung up his riding boots and turned his attention to training full-time, and has already tasted plenty of success. In 2023/24, Travers won 19 races; last season, he brought up a career-best 26. In 2025/26, with over a month of the season remaining, he is up to 32 victories, ranking 16th on the NSW country trainers' premiership. This week, the stable will look to continue the hot run, with Travers targeting meetings at Rosehill Gardens and Gundagai on Saturday, and potentially Dubbo on Sunday. Words: Jeff Hanson/Dusty Hooves Media Image: Kylie Shaw/Trackpix</div>

Mathrin marvels as Travers banks Albury and Wagga doubles

A flurry of winners throughout June has taken Michael Travers to 30 victories for the 2025/26 season, surpassing the 19 winners he trained in 2023/24 and the 26 winners recorded in 2024/25. Brutal Force's win at Dubbo on June 6 kicked off the hot streak for Michael Travers Racing (MTR). The 10-hour round trip to Dubbo proved worthwhile as the stable landed a strong victory in the 1100m Class One Handicap. Ridden by Jean Van Overmeire, the four-year-old Brutal gelding was well supported in betting, firming from $21 into $13 on what turned out to be a Heavy 9 surface. The Wagga-trained galloper relished the conditions, powering home to claim the $35,000 feature. The winning run continued at Narrandera on Saturday, June 13, when Roullottie ($10) n returned to the winner's circle. Pierre Boudvillain produced a perfect front-running ride aboard the five-year-old Casino Prince mare, with the pair making every post a winner in the 1400m Benchmark 50 Handicap. Capping off a sensational month, Travers celebrated a winning double at Albury on Tuesday, June 16.Blaike McDougall partnered both winners and got the ball rolling aboard Iroquai ($4.60), who stormed home to win the 1175m Maiden Handicap. The four-year-old Shamus Award mare had been knocking on the door and proved too classy for her rivals in the heavy conditions. Later in the day, McDougall guided Demi God ($4.80) to a thrilling victory in the 1400m Class Two Handicap. The three-year-old Peltzer gelding appreciated the drop back in grade and brought up the third win of his 14-start career. Splitting the stable's two winners was Swinging High ($4), who produced an improved performance to finish third in the 1600m Benchmark 58 Handicap under Rebecca Bronnett Prag. With momentum firmly on its side, MTR now turns its attention to Wagga on Sunday, where Mathrin, Taluk, Seasmoke, Jenni Divine and Brutal Force are all entered to run. Words: Jeff Hanson / Dusty Hooves Media Image: Kylie Shaw / Trackpix Photography

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Tumut and Albury Wins Continue Strong Season

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