Former Goulburn harness racing trainer Graham Moon made the move to Tamworth in January this year and while it has taken him a little while to set up his property he is looking forward to this Sunday's Armidale Carnival Of Cups meeting. Moon will have three runners this weekend with Franco Seville set to start in the Roberts and Morrow Chartered Accountants Armidale Cup.

"Franco Seville has drawn very well but I think it is going to be very hard to beat Strathlachlan Andy even though he has drawn barrier seven," Moon said.

"Franco Seville has started three times since I made the move from Goulburn and he is yet to miss a place up here but this is biggest test."

Moon purchased 100 acres just outside of Tamworth and has been busy making a number of changes to the property.

"There was a big shed that I converted into some stables but I had to put in a track so I put in a 650 metre track which is what I had back in Goulburn."

"I still have to build some day yards for the horses, there is always something to be done but I am happy with the progress Jenny and I have made since we have arrived and all of the Tamworth people have been so friendly and helpful."

The Brazen Jasper and Bobbie Mcardle will also represent the Moon stable on Sunday.

"I'm going to have a drive of The Brazen Jasper on Sunday, he hasn't had much luck of late and I've been giving a few drives to Sam Ison but I thought I would sit behind him this weekend and just get a feel for how well he is going."

"Bobbie Mcardle is a nice mare from New Zealand, she has only had the one run for me since arriving in Australia, I think as she settles in there will be even more improvement."

Moon described the move from Goulburn to Tamworth as a 'treechange'.

"Jenny and I were running two businesses in Goulburn, there was a lot of work and our property was worth good money but training horses in Goulburn in the middle of winter is a very tough job so we thought it might be time to make the move and try something different."

"Our Goulburn property is still on the market but there has been some strong interest lately and while we have been in Tamworth Sam Hewitt has been staying there as the caretaker."

With five horses in work and another couple ready to come back into work, Moon is looking forward to the warmer winter.

"It will still get cold in the winter, the mornings are already crisp but they won't be as cold as those Goulburn mornings, we definitely won't miss that."

Eight races will be run at Armidale's Carnival Of Cups meeting this Sunday with the first event scheduled for 12:53pm.

Greg Hayes | Media Coordinator | Harness Racing New South Wales |