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Another win by inform mare Grand Feeling in the Brushgrove Hotel Patrons Brushgrove Cup (1206m) at Grafton on Friday would go a long way to keeping things sweet in the Milligan household.
Taree trainer Bob Milligan races the six-year-old mare with his wife, Margaret.
“It’s her horse now,” Milligan said. “Margaret has always taken an interest in the horses but Grand Feeling has become her favourite.
“While she’s winning it keeps things happy at home. She’s been a very good mare to us.”
Milligan purchased the daughter of Grandera “cheaply” as a yearling. The mare has now recorded seven wins and 18 placing’s from 60 starts earning close to $130,000.
And Grand Feeling is currently in a rich vein of form with two wins and a second from her last three starts at Grafton.
She falls into the horses for courses category nicely.
“She’s been going good up there (Grafton),” Milligan added. “She obviously likes the track.
“She’s thriving on living at the moment. She’s had 15 runs this preparation but continues to thrive.”
Three starts back Grand Feeling started her winning roll scoring over 1200m on a soft surface at Grafton on April 24. The smallish mare, who stands a meagre 15.3 hands, then backed up to win again on a heavy track on May 4. Both wins were by narrow margins, Grand Feeling charging home from back in the ruck early.
Last time out at Grafton, Grand Feeling again ran home hard to finish 1.5 lengths second to Grafton-trained Miss Caitlyn over 1215m in the Autumn Dash on May 11.
“She’s done just as well now as before her last couple of starts at Grafton,” Milligan said. “She’s just a good doing mare, eats well and does what’s asked of her on the track.
“I haven’t had a real good look at Friday’s race but she’d have to be right in it.
“She just needs a bit of pace on up front.”
Jockey Peter Graham, the mare’s regular rider, again saddles up on Friday.
“They’ve got a good understanding of each other,” Milligan added.