Hatch plans for a long shot at Weetwood win
TRAINER Lindsay Hatch will take a long-shot throw at the Weetwood stumps with Helarocity after the talented Toowoomba five-year-old added to his growing Clifford Park win record on Saturday.
Helarocity ($2.60 fav) provided connections with a welcome consolation after missing a start at Saturday’s heavy 10 Doomben meeting with a stay-at-home victory in the Clein Group Benchmark 75 Handicap (1300m).
Jockey Beau Appo parked Helarocity behind the early speed of Bush Caviar and Uno Best before the flashy grey pounced on his rivals inside the final 150 metres for a 1 length win over Roxy Rhythm ($8).
Uno Best ($4.60) held on solidly to be a long head away third.
The victory was Helarocity’s third from six Clifford Park starts with his record now standing at six wins and three placing from only 10 starts.
Hatch is now daring to dream of an against-the-odd tilt at Saturday week’s $150,000 Listed Weetwood Handicap (1200m) with the Ferocity gelding.
“I’d like to get him in the Weetwood,” Hatch said.
“I know his rating probably won’t be high enough to get into the field, but I’m going to nominate him.
“I’m not getting carried away, but he’s a horse who would enjoy a hot speed in a Weetwood and I’ve always thought strong 1300-metre horses are ideal types for a tough 1200 metres here.
“We wanted to run him in town today, but he’s had tendon problems and we didn’t want to run him on a bottomless track so this raced proved an ideal back-up for him.
“I’ll also nominate him for another 1300-metre race here on Weetwood day which he’ll more than likely run in.
“But I’ve got Transporter headed for the Toowoomba Cup and it would be pretty special if we could get Helarocity into the Weetwood on the same day.
“It’s something that every Toowoomba trainer wants to be a part of.”
Saturday’s meeting was marred by a barrier incident in race three which left apprentice Matthew McGillivray with a leg injury after his mount Flirtatious Femme reared and dislodged him as the gates opened.
McGillivray was transported to hospital which resulted in race four being delayed for almost 40 minutes until another ambulance arrived on course.
The race was eventually taken out by Dream Of Ascot ($1.65 fav) who shook off second favourite Hot Talk ($4.20) to score a two-length win for apprentice Baylee Nothdurft and trainer Kevin Kemp.