HELLOVA SHOT AT ELWICK VICTORY
BRIGHTON trainer Terry Evans has always had a big opinion of his lightly raced sprinter-miler Hellova Night who measured up to expectations last preparation.
With two runs behind him this time in, the Night of Thunder gelding is poised to notch his fifth career win when he steps out in a benchmark 76 handicap over 1400m at Elwick on Sunday. Hellova Night resumed with a fourth to Kuroset in a BM76 (1100m) at Elwick last month and three weeks ago he was a game second in an open handicap over 1400m behind in-form mare Reward Achiever who has since franked the form by winning an open handicap over 1600m in Launceston last Sunday.
South Australian apprentice Lizzie Annells partnered the gelding last start and Evans has opted to stay with the talented young rider for Sunday’s assignment. Hellova Night carried only 52kg last start but goes up significantly in weight (58.5kg) as he drops back to his own grade, but Annells’s 2kg claim will ease the strain.
The gelding races best when able to settle off a good speed and he should get those conditions on Sunday with the likes of Sir Simon, Hezredhot and The Master Speed engaged.
Hellova Night has had only 18 starts for four wins and seven minor placings for just over $100,000 in stakes.
The four-year-old was bred by Lynrowan Stud and was originally trained in Victoria by Ciaron Maher, David Eustace and Adrian Corboy for whom he won on debut at Tatura and Albury before making his way to Evans’s Brighton stable last year. In 10 starts for Evans he has won twice, notched five minor placings, and has finished no further back than fourth.
Evans hopes the gelding can measure up to weight-for-page class further down the track, and maybe this season. THE LADBROKES $100,000 Double Cups Bonus on offer to the connections of any horse that can win the Hobart and Launceston cups in the same season will again be a lure for owners and trainers to try and capture the state’s two showcase staying events over 2400m.
Next season the Hobart Cup will be run on February 12 and the Launceston Cup, which is traditionally held on the last Wednesday in February, is only 10 days later. The weight-for-age Mowbray Stakes (1600m) takes on a new name, with former star sprinter-miler Hellova Street being honoured by having that race carry his name.
The Hellova Street will be sponsored by Steve’s Liquor, a company that has been involved in race sponsorship in Tasmania for 27 years.
SKY CHANNEL has confirmed it will continue to broadcast Launceston night meetings next season on Sky Thoroughbred Central with no change to the number of races that were broadcast this season.
All night meetings will also be broadcast on Sky1 and there is consideration being given to STC taking the Launceston meeting on October 21 (Friday night), which coincides with Manikato night at Moonee Valley on the eve of the Cox Plate.
PETER STAPLES IS ALSO EMPLOYED
BY TASRACING