It’s fifth time lucky as Hamer tastes victory

FORMER Hong Kong galloper Braccenby broke a long run of outs for trainer Rowan Hamer when he led throughout to win a class one handicap in Devonport on Monday.

Braccenby was having his fifth start for Hamer, who acquired the gelding when his Hong Kong owners decided to move him on after he finished near last in a rating-80 event at Sha Tin in March last year.

The gelded son of More Than Ready showed good early speed to lead and with Jason Maskiell aboard he set a solid tempo and had enough in reserve to hold out Mosh Opera by a long neck with Speedy Illusion a close third.

It was Hamer’s first winner since October last year and he almost heaved a sigh of relief.

“It’s been a long time coming and it’s nice to not run second because that’s been the story of my life lately,” Hamer said. “I’m pleased this horse has been able to win again be- cause he showed a lot as a young horse when he was with Peter Moody in Melbourne.

“Moody thought enough of him to put him in a 2YO Inglis Classic on debut and he ran third and the next season he ran sixth first-up in a Vain Stakes beaten less than two lengths.”

After the horse won a maiden at Bairnsdale he was sold to Hong Kong and gelded, but that’s when the problems began.

“The horse had side effects from being gelded and he was later diagnosed as a grade four roarer [breathing problem], so after three starts in Hong Kong he was moved on and he came to me and at no cost.

“I had him ready to race when he copped a bad foot abscess and he was restricted to a horse box for 10 weeks so when he recovered we had to start from scratch.”

Braccenby is likely to have his next start in Launceston on April 24. That meeting has been moved from the Sunday (April 22) to the Tuesday night.