Sunday at the 2025 NSW Picnic Championships final in Dubbo.
Mr Pointer, who’s been nick named the Cobar Cannon in racing circles, is all fired up for the biggest race of his career this weekend.
Local trainer, Wayne ‘WAP’ Prisk will saddle up his two gallopers, Mr Pointer and A Tender Lady, for one of the biggest meetings on the country racing calendar, the Picnic Championships Day, at Dubbo’s Country Showcase Meeting on Sunday.
There’s over $500,000 in prizemoney up for grabs across the day, with $50,000 each on offer for the two Picnic Championship races over 1,100m and 1,400m.
But this isn’t just about ribbons and trophies, it’s about honouring a mate.
Colin ‘Butch’ Eves, who owned both horses in partnership with WAP, recently passed away, and WAP says this run is for him.
“It was one of Butch’s last wishes to have them there,” WAP said.
Mr Pointer has gone into the Sprint Championship (1,100m) as the No 9 qualifier, however a few ahead of him are either not racing (including Billy Bent ear who recently retired) or will be entered in the 1,400m Championship race.
With a win at Nyngan 12 weeks ago and consistent form all season, he’ll be one of the favourites come race day.
But don’t expect Mr Pointer to be easy work in the lead-up.
“Race day, he hypes himself up, it’s a mission just getting him on the float,” WAP said.
“But that’s why he runs so well.”
Bred to run, Mr Pointer is the son of Sharkbite, and has always had a competitive streak.
He’s also a brother to Jawsome, one of WAP’s former high performing horses who’s previously run this race where he finished mid-field.
WAP says the long-term goal with Mr Pointer is to chase down the success of another former champion, Billy Bent Ear, who won 20 races in his career.
“We’re aiming to go past him over the next five years. Mr Pointer’s only seven, he’s had 11 wins, he’s got time,” WAP said.
This Sunday Mr Pointer will be ridden by Tamsin Gough, who’s been with him all season.
“She’s rode him all year, knows what he can do.
“We’ve made no changes to training or gear,” WAP said.
“Just letting him do his thing.”
Stablemate, A Tender Lady, will also line up in the 1,000m sprint, though WAP’s still waiting to lock in a jockey.
“There will be plenty of jockeys there on the day who will be keen for a ride,” he said.
WAP is hoping for a good result in the barrier draw, which will be done tomorrow.
“It would be nice to draw one to five. We don’t want to draw 12.”
Joining the Dubbo mission are two more of WAP’s runners, Gee Whiz Johnny and Mr Invincible, both of whom recently placed at Griffith, for other races on Sunday.
Dubbo’s Picnic Championships Day is one of the biggest meets in the region, and for WAP and his crew, it’ll also be a day of reflection.
“Mum’ll be strapping in spirit, the whole family’s coming down, it’ll be a big one,” WAP said.
He encourages locals who knew Butch to have a sentimental bet on Mr Pointer, “just in case Butch has some pull up there,” WAP said.
While hopeful of a strong showing, WAP knows how tough Dubbo can be.
“That long straight worries me a bit, he’ll be in front a long way. That’s his style.”
With a little luck, and maybe a bit of red for good fortune, which is WAP’s race-day superstition, the Cobar Cannon might just fire.
