Beer and Skittles for Southern Trainer

Albury trainer Mitchell Beer will seal his first Southern District Racing Association premiership at Corowa on Monday in a year that has been like no other. The former Victorian trainer has several strong chances headed by last-start Narrandera Cup winner Power Me Up ($3.10 favourite on TAB) as well as the consistent Seventh Seal ($8). Beer has been training out of Albury for three years and being based in the border city has tested the resolve of all involved with the stable during COVID-19. “Frustrating is an understatement. We have had a good season, but the logistics of being based on the border has been difficult,” he said. “This will be my first SDRA premiership and it’s nice to have after a tough year. The stable has had more seconds (36) than winners (31) which is frustrating, but you can also look at that and know if the horses aren’t winning they are at least right there.” One horse that has been doing plenty of winning is Power Me Up (Pins) – a $20,000 purchase that continues to go from strength to strength. The gelding has won four of his past five starts and will carry the same weight (55.5kg) as he did when he won the Narrandera Cup.