Tinkler family turn attention to Taree

The lightly-raced Mr Armstrong and Sharashif Satane will be out to maintain winning momentum for the Tinkler family at Taree on Tuesday.

The pair is raced by the Port Macquarie-based Serene Lodge syndicate, managed by Les Tinkler and trained by Wayne Wilkes.

On Saturday, under Tinkler's son Nathan's Patinack Farm banner, the leviathan stable racked up winners at Rosehill, Caulfield, Doomben and Newcastle.

Patinack and the Sheikh Mohammed-owned Darley are unquestionably the two largest racing stables in Australia.

Serene Lodge is the successful country adjunct of Patinack and both Mr Armstrong and Sharashif Satane previously raced under the Patinack banner.

Mr Armstrong, a Catbird four-year-old gelding, has had four starts for Wilkes and tackles the XXXX Gold Benchmark 70 Hcp (1250m).

The gelding is coming off a strong second-up win over 1250m at Taree on January 28 in a Benchmark 65 Handicap.

Four-year-old mare Sharashif Satane resumes in the Hahn Super Dry Class 2 Hcp (1300m).

Connections have been patient with Mr Armstrong and Wilkes believes this could be the gelding's most proficient preparation.

After just two starts the gelding, who is on the small side, was given a 359-day break to mature and develop.

"He was just given time, time to grow," Wilkes said.

"It was the same situation after he had two starts with me.

"We gave him more time off (230 days) to develop and get over a few niggling issues.

"He's only small but a nice type."

Mr Armstrong resumed with a 1-1/2 length fourth to Tristamberelle over 1000m at Taree on January 5 when, after little luck early, he made up good ground in the run home before winning at the same track last start.

"He got to the line real good last start and was ready to go to the provincials but Tuesday's race looked a nice stepping stone," Wilkes said.

"He's up in grade but gets a light weight (54kg). That's the key.

"Previously, he's always been asked to carry big weights."

Sharashif Satane was tried as a stayer last preparation but, according to Wilkes, wasn't developed enough to handle longer distances.

The mare, who scored impressively first-up last campaign, hasn't raced since her fifth to Gathering Light over 1900m at Canterbury on June 16.

"Like Mr Armstrong she's not overly big and we've given her time to develop," Wilkes said.

"She's lightly-framed and wasn't quite strong enough last campaign.

"I haven't trialled her but I'm happy with her work.

"She's spot-on."

Apprentice Melissa Brown's four kilo claim reduces the mare's weight to 54kg.