QUIRINDI trainer Geoff O’Brien makes a rare visit to Warialda tomorrow with three runners – and he says all three will run well.

“I’ve only been to Warialda a few times with runners and maybe won a maiden there,” he said.

O’Brien starts versatile mare Akauwheo in the 1400m Anipro Warialda Cup, with in-form apprentice Jake Stiff on board.

Stiff, apprenticed to Michael Mulholland at Dubbo, is fresh from four winners at Lightning Ridge on Easter Saturday and a double at Warren in late March.

“Jake is riding really well at the moment,” O’Brien said.

Akauwheo is also in form, with a strong win over 1400m at Gunnedah two starts back.

The mare, a class one winner at Talmoi last year, settled midfield at Gunnedah before charging clear halfway down the running to win by nearly two lengths.

The versatile mare has won races from 1200m to 2000m, including a Murrurundi Cup over the longer trip on her home track last year.

“She won a  Murrurundi Cup over 2000m on Boxing Day. It wasn’t a real strong race, but she can get over a bit of ground,” O’Brien said.

“At Talmoi last year, she won over 1200m – we sent her to the front and she kept going.”

Quirindi trainer Geoff O’Brien with Akauwheo after winning at Talmoi last year.

Akauwheo has drawn barrier five in tomorrow’s bush feature, won last year by Ridge Wilson’s Puzzle Designer.

“I thought she’d be some chance. The race is about her level and she’s won over 1400m before,” O’Brien said.

“She won pretty well a couple of starts back at Gunnedah over the distance.”

Lat year, the mare led all the way over 1200m at Talmoi. At Gunnedah last month, she came from a midfield position approaching the home turn to win easily.

“I’d like to see her be up there behind the pace – they’ve got to be somewhere close on the Warialda track,” O’Brien said.

O’Brien also saddles two runners in the 1000m Peter Sinclair Racing Darren Jones Memorial Sprint – picnics’ sprinter Superhot and speedster Redline.

“It would be nice to win the race,” O’Brien said.

Jake Stiff rides Superhot, with Queensland 2kg-claiming apprentice Colleen Krahnen on Redline.

Redline is also first emergency in the 1000m BM-58 handicap at Tamworth today.

“If he gets a run at Tamworth, he’ll probably line up again at Warialda – he’ll back up no worries,” O’Brien said.

Redline led easily at Gunnedah two starts back when grabbled at the distance marker by Ridge Wilson’s Gerety.

“He ran a good race at Gunnedah,” O’Brien said.

“It was the first time he’s drawn in near the fence. Izzy Neale rode him, and he travelled really good for her.

“He’ll show pace, like he usually does, and lead them up – whether he decides to keep going is up to him,” O’Brien said.

Superhot, a bracelet winner at Mallawa in 2024 and Talmoi and Wean last year, is resuming after an injury-enforced lay-off.

“He’s been out for a long time, but he goes all right,” O’Brien said.

“He had a really bad stone bruise, which didn’t break out properly, and it’s taken me six or seven months to get him back.”

O’Brien said Akauwheo and Superhot will likely head towards bush racing’s Golden Triangle at Moree, Mallawa and Talmoi in May and June.

O’Brien led in a winning treble at Talmoi last year – Tandem, Superhot and Akauwheo.

“I’m pretty sure we’ll go that way – we’ll look at the cups and bracelets again,” he said.

Warialda Jockey Club officials anticipate a big crowd at tomorrow’s family race-day.

A courtesy bus will operate from 11.45am until late, with drop-offs and pick-ups every half-an-hour from the Royal Hotel, IGA, and Sunflower Motel and Caravan Park.

2026 Warialda Races

When: Saturday, April 11, 2026

Where: Warialda racecourse

Time: From about midday. Courtesy bus operating throughout the day.

Tickets: Warialda Cup at Try Booking.