PETER Sinclair’s extended stay in Moree this week was cut short as Tropical Cyclone Alfred tightens its grip on the east coast.

Sinclair drove to Moree Tuesday afternoon and drove out Wednesday morning, leaving his two runners for today’s seven-race Moree TAB card in the capable hands of former stable boss, Amee Hobday.

Sinclair’s original plan was to stay a few days and catch up with family and friends.

But with Tropical Cyclone Alfred expected to dump up to 300mm of rain on his home base at Murwillumbah, Sinclair thought it wiser to head back across the ranges.

“At one point, we lost power at the farm because of a fallen tree. The power is back on now, but it’s better we’re back in Murwillumbah,” Sinclair said.

“We planned the trip back to Moree to see my mum, family and friends, and drop off some horses we sold and leased out. Luckily we managed all that before making the decision to head back.”

Sinclair, now training privately for Sutton Park Racing supremo Mark Sowerby, today starts two runners at Moree Race Club’s first meeting for 2025.

The trainer starts Lagoon from barrier five in the 1400m Mehi Maiden Plate and Kaiwi from gate 11 in the 1600m Off the Track BM-58 Handicap.

Both runners will be ridden  by in-form hoop Ben Looker, who’s fresh from winning on So You Are at Scone Tuesday as well as a winning double on Eclair Vitality and Miss Capitale at Port Macquarie on Monday.

“Ben goes good and will suit both my horses,” Sinclair said.

Peter Sinclair with Lagoon, Amee Hobday, and Sinclair’s pre-apprentice Charlotte Murrell with Kaiwi at Moree racecourse on Wednesday.

Four-year-old mare Lagoon, purchased this week by well-known Moree owner Danny Bourke, has placed three times from 11 starts and comes off an unplaced run at Ballina three weeks ago.

“She’s going well and busting to win a race,” Sinclair said.

“Her last start was a little bit disappointing but there was leaders’ bias that day and she likes to get back a bit and be ridden quietly.

“I expect her to run a good race on the big track at Moree, which will really suit her,” he said.

Kaiwi, owned by Sutton Park, is racing consistently in recent weeks without winning.

Sinclair said the mare’s last-start eighth at Ballina can be overlooked.

“She’s a good, honest mare,” Sinclair said.

“I’m dropping her back in distance because I didn’t think she quite ran out 1900m last start.

“We’ll bring her back to 1600m at Moree after a little freshen-up, and see if we can get some prize money,” he said.

Sinclair relocated to Murwillumbah last year to train privately.

“I’ve loved the move to Murwillumbah. It’s a beautiful place, and we’re on a lovely farm with really nice people to work for, and to work with,” Sinclair said.

His biggest concern – apart from winning a couple of races today – was getting home.

Tropical Cyclone Alfred is expected to make landfall late today, with Murwillumbah expecting upwards of 300mm of rain leading into the weekend.

“From all reports, our farm doesn’t flood, but we do get isolated and cut off from the rest of the world,” Sinclair said.

“We worry a bit about supplies, as most people do, and how long the isolation might last.

“I’m a bit of a newbie over there. I know about the Moree floods, and how they roll, but I’ve got no idea how they roll at Murwillumbah,” he said.

Moree Selections

Race 1: No.3 Iknowyou win

Race 2: No.3 Navy Steel win

Race 3: No.6 Lagoon each-way

Race 4: No.1 Snatchreilly win

Race 5: Bracket No.2 Kimberley Moon and No.3 Key Legend both each-way

Race 6: No.2 Lizzie’s Gem each-way

Race 7: Mimessi each-way

Best Bet: R4 No.1 Snatchreilly

Next Best: R2 No.3 Navy Steel

Best Each-Way: R3 No.6 Lagoon

Suggested Multi: R2 Navy Steel (place); R3 Lagoon (place); R4 Snatchreilly (win); R5 Kimberley Moon and Key Legend (both place); and R6 Lizzie’s Gem (place).