BUCHANAN GIVES APPRENTICE “HELLOVA” CHANCE AT RANDWICK
KRISTEN Buchanan is looking forward to giving apprentice Olivia Chambers the first opportunity to ride a city winner for her.
The Wyong trainer has awarded Chambers the mount on Hellova Nature in the Midway Benchmark 72 Handicap (1200m) at Royal Randwick.
Provided the weather is on Buchanan’s side, it would be a timely result if the pair can combine for a fruitful result.
“Liv (Olivia) is currently on loan, but is scheduled to be officially transferred to me on Sunday,” Buchanan said this morning.
“She is working hard and going well.
“Liv claims 3kg in town, and 2kg at the provincials.
“This is the first chance I have had to give her a ride in Sydney.
“It’s the right horse and right time.”
Chambers’ claim importantly will lessen Hellova Nature’s weight to 57kg, and he is ideally drawn in barrier two in a capacity field of 14 (with currently six emergencies).
The Wyong sprinter was a $21 to $12 firmer with TAB.com.au earlier this morning.
Buchanan has done a splendid job with the Hellbent six-year-old, raced by a Calibre Racing syndicate.
He was placed twice at Gosford and Tamworth in April before winning three of his next four starts.
After scoring easily at Kembla Grange in May in a 1200m Benchmark 64 Handicap, Buchanan border hopped twice with the gelding to clinch victories at the Gold Coast (1200m) in June and Doomben (1350m) in July.
A second placing at $41 at Rosehill Gardens in a 1300m Midway Benchmark 72 Handicap on June 27 was sandwiched in between.
Chambers was aboard Hellova Nature when he trialled at Newcastle’s Beaumont track on October 12 and finished a close second to Rebel Rhapsody over 800m, without being pressured.
“I’m very happy with how Hellova Nature is progressing,” Buchanan said.
“But I don’t want Randwick to get a lot of rain (rated a ‘Good 4’ at 8am today).
“His five career wins have been on good ground, but he can handle up to a ‘Soft 5 or 6’.
“Anything worse than that and I wouldn’t be keen to run him first-up.”
Buchanan gave Hellova Nature’s stablemate Annie’s Rose some paddock rest after her ninth to Gerringong in the Group 3 The Nivison (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens on October 10.
It was the mare’s first defeat in four starts at the track.
“Annie’s Rose definitely likes her races spaced,” Buchanan said.
“She had a week out and is now back at the stable, and there are some suitable races ahead for her.”
. Today’s scheduled Gosford meeting was called after RacingNSW stewards initially delayed the running of the first race to 1.50pm following 31mm of rain at the track in the five hours to `12.30pm.
When stewards conducted a further inspection at 1.20pm prior to the amended start time, a further 7mm had fallen and it was identified that surface water was still present.
STORY JOHN CURTIS, OCTOBER 22, 2026 - PICS BRADLEY PHOTOS
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