RACING
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Sometimes tradesman Kurt Goldman will have an extra spring in his step in Magic Millions week - and it has nothing to do with returning to the scene of his career highlight.
The young Kembla Grange trainer has been confirmed to take over from Danny Williams as trainer for former Wallaby Alan Cardy on his Goulburn property.
The ex-rodeo rider will start later this month after Williams was granted the Sydney foreman job for dual-state trainer Tony McEvoy.
Goldman, who has been forced to resort to the tools to supplement the unforgiving game of training a small team stabled adjacent to the Kembla track, hailed the move as "a great opportunity to really further my career".
"The opportunities now are endless," he said. "He's already got some good stock there and he's going to continue to keep buying nice horses.
"There's potentially some nice Group-type horses among them as well as some good city horses. The opportunities are going to keep coming."
Cardy's state-of-the-art facility includes two tracks featuring an 800-metre uphill course as well as swimming pools, walking machines and horse spas.
There are also plans to build a further 10 boxes, increasing Goldman's capacity to handle a team of up to 25 gallopers.
Williams warranted a reputation as one of the most astute horsemen in the state while training for Cardy, boasting a strike rate the envy of many top trainers.
And Goldman will now have targets like the big country cups, as well as various feature carnivals around the country, to occupy him instead of trawling lower-grade races for winners.
His last Kembla-based assignment will be with flagship mare Arms Length, who will again head to the Gold Coast to contest the rich fillies and mares race during the Magic Millions.
Goldman secured globe-trotting hoop Craig Williams when the mare ran second in the corresponding race two years ago, and has Craig Newitt booked this time.
"She's come back as good as she's ever gone, but she's a completely different horse," Goldman said. "Her racing pattern over the last 12 months has really changed.
"She used to be on speed and still find a little bit and kick. These days she's a bit older and likes to get back in her races, settle and finish with one last shot at them.
"I have in mind the Gold Coast should suit because they are generally fast-run races and if she's not too far off them at the turn she will definitely be in the finish."