MIA Breeders' Plate mission

The stable has three runners in the heats of the rich MIA breeders' Plate series for two-year- olds at Leeton on Saturday night

It's no secret Tony would love to win his way through the heats into the $40,000 final of the Southern Central Engineering MIA Breeders' Plate on January 1, as he grew up in the Leeton District.

In the first heat Courage Under Fire colt Manos de Piedra, owned by Errol Stockton, has drawn awkwardly in the number 6 alley outside the front row, while in the second heat, Illawong Bondi has drawn a similar barrier for owners Martin and Kaye Hartnett.

The stable's third runner Tuakau Beach, for owners Joe Carbone, Joe Sergi and Jason Restagno, had better luck with the barrier draw, coming out of the pole position, and should be prominent, although he meets three opponents who have race experience and are showing promise.

Tony has confirmed Barimah, a runner in Sunday's $30,000 Cobram Cup, will be nominated for the prestigious Hunter Cup on February 6.

The five year old is working sensationally on the track at home and finger's crossed all goes well at Cobram

"As yet I haven't sat down and discussed it with the owners, but if he holds his form in the Hunter Cup I would hope he would be in the running for an invitation to the Cordina Sprint at Menangle the following week," he said.

"I'm amazed at how he's come along and continues to get stronger.  His track work at home this past fortnight has been terrific."