Wolfe eyeing success as community comes together for Pingrup Cup

For Tom Wolfe, Saturday’s $30,000 TABtouch Pingrup Cup (1660m) is more than just a race – it’s a chance to honour his family’s close connection to the community.

His grandparents are among Pingrup’s 250-or-so residents, with many family members having also lived in the Great Southern town.

Tom has pinned his hopes to take out the feature event with front-running four-year-old gelding, Spanish Kat. Zephen Johnston-Porter is booked to ride.

“Spanish Kat’s the right kind of horse for Pingrup, he’ll be up on speed and brings the right form lines to be super competitive in a race like this,” Tom told Racing WA.

“It would be a nice little touch to win the cup in Pingrup with the family connection there, that’s for sure.”

The Great Southern accounts for $48.6 million of the $1.3 billion the WA racing industry contributes to the economy each year.

The Pingrup Race Club plays an important role in delivering this economic return, in addition to social benefits, with its annual race meeting drawing racegoers from across the State.

“These country race meetings are super important to the community,” Tom said.

“It is sometimes one of the only opportunities these communities get to all come together and have a social outing.

“That’s why it’s important for trainers to continue to support these race clubs – and it’s a great chance for us to get out and have good day on course as well.”

Soldiers Camp will carry the top weight in the Pingrup Cup, after an impressive northern Goldfields campaign last year, winning the Leonora and Leinster cups.

Trainer Peter Bamford has a two-pronged attack in the opening race of the meeting, with Smokey Mountain and Ima Wild Girl both engaged in the event which is set for 2.42pm.

Josh Miller