On debut, the BENNY Howe-prepared son of Kinloch Brae struck trouble at Dubbo over 400m in mid-March and was sidelined for just on six months.
By start four, Tribal Vote found his mojo when a hollow 13 ¼ lengths maiden winner at Dubbo in 29.74 on October 10 before a below-par offering on October 30 when a distant fourth (of five) to Spring Patriot in 29.80.
Howe’s trip to Richmond followed, with the 30.60 offering from the inside alley an amalgam of speed and strength.
Box one has come Tribal Vote’s way again and, with moderate beginners JODIE Keeping and Omens drawn to his outside, his supporters will be banking on clear air early on.
The X-Factor in the contest is Midnight Hairy (Box 4). He stepped out for the first time at Lithgow on November 6 and saluted from box 8 in a solid 24.33 over 414m.
While new to Dubbo and quickly up in distance, Midnight Hairy is certainly bred to handle the 516m trip.
His dam Midnight Elsa – a Sandown Cup finalist in 2017 - is a litter sister to Nature’s Gent (27 wins and $248,000), Midnight Treat (19 wins), and Watch The Wasp (12 wins).
The lids fly on the first of 11 races at Dubbo on Saturday at 5.50pm and meetings are programmed for every Saturday at Dawson Park until Christmas Day.
