BIG FUTURE AS WINNING PAIR LIGHT UP TRACK
GOLD Coast trainer Bruce Hill has transformed the careers of two horses who both celebrated wins at Aquis Park on the weekend.
New stable addition Big Arjay celebrated his arrival to the Gold Coast with a win at his new home track, leading the Maiden Handicap (900m) from start to finish at Aquis Park.
Hill made it a double when Ecker Road won the Colts, Geldings and Entires Class 2 Handicap (1200m) in the last race of the day.
Hill was buoyant about the future of both horses and, despite their names, said Ecker Road was the one looming large over his rivals.
Ecker Road, who has now won two races from as many runs for Hill, stands at 17 hands and, as far as the trainer is concerned, they just don’t breed them like they used to.
“It was a very good win for Ecker Road because he has a tendency to want to go hard and (jockey) Matt (Palmer) managed to get him to settle just in behind them,” Hill said. “He hit the line well and he is still learning the caper but he could end up to be a nice horse.”
Ecker Road arrived at Hill’s stables just over two months ago and he immediately liked what he saw.
“When he turned up I just thought how nice is this horse,” Hill said.
“He is a big, strong horse and you don’t see too many of them these days. They are probably smaller these days because they are so finely bred … but he is a lovely big one.
“I definitely think he will get to the stage where he will be racing in town.”
Hill said Ecker Road would likely reach 1600m and he would continue to take the five-year-old gelding through his classes at provincial level for the time being.