Bodega on trail of yet another cup victory
GOLD Coast trainer Bruce Hill can deliver a training feat that will be hard to top for the rest of the 2019-20 season if Bodega Negra wins his second Coffs Harbour Cup almost 1000 days after he won his first.
Hill won the 2016 Coffs Harbour Cup (1600m) with the then six-year-old.
Today the chestnut son of Hidden Dragon turns nine and lines up for his 93rd start but has never been in better shape, according to the man who has been by his side from day one.
“I paid $46,000 for him as a yearling,’’ Hill said. “I only gave him one start as a twoyear-old – he’s had a few since then – but he cops it well. He actually thrives on racing.
“He is going terrific but it’s a little bit harder (today). He has always been a handy horse.
“The only thing was, he used to struggle when he got up in the weights because he is not a good weight carrier.
“And then once he gets down in the weights again, then away he goes.
“He will be competitive (today) for sure, especially if we get some rain. That eliminates a few of the others and it makes it a little easier for him.’’
Hill knows better than to break up a winning formula, which is why jockey Jon Grisedale will again partner Bodega Negra as they seek a third straight cup win together.
Grisedale gave a masterful front-running display on Bodega Negra to win the South Grafton Cup on July 7 and followed up two weeks later with a stirring victory in the Sawtell Cup at Coffs Harbour.
“The horse can be a little funny to ride because he always carries his head low to the ground,’’ Hill said.
“The other blokes try to pull it up, whereas Jonny has just left him alone and he is happy like that.”