HAZELNUTS trainer Adam Ruggari sees Saturday night’s TAB Hunter Region Championships Final field as “very even”.
Qualifying in the first round of heats, Ruggari says “not having a gut buster the week before the final is a positive, plus I’ve also got the leading driver – Tom Ison on board. He’s (HAZELNUTS) always better racing fresh and Barrier No. 6 gives him plenty of options.”
Ruggari has won a Group 1 Breeders Challenge as a driver aboard NEW YORK FASHION trained by his grandfather Barry Matterson, he has competed in several feature races as a trainer including Victoria Trotters Derby (Group 1), the Newcastle Mile and qualifiers for an Inter but has not won any.
Ruggari was always going to set HAZELNUTS for the series and supports the concept for Australian bred horses. “It’s also great for the area, it’s just a shame about a crowd not being able to come along and support the locals”.