BUCHANNAN’S “HELLOVA” DAY AT KEMBLA GRANGE

KRISTEN Buchanan was expecting a “hellova” day at Kembla Grange yesterday.

It was that – but not quite in the way she had anticipated.

The Wyong trainer was disappointed when her $1.75 hotpot Gravel Road hit the skids and finished fifth in the Class 1 Handicap (1000m).

But at least she didn’t return home empty-handed, winning the Benchmark 64 Handicap (1200m) with another favorite, Hellova Nature ($2.80).

With Jess Taylor aboard, Hellova Nature broke through for his third career success – but first for Buchanan, and she was relieved.

“He had seven starts for me last preparation without placing, and that was his fourth this time in work, and it was so good to see him win,” Buchanan said today.

“I have fiddled around with his gear a bit to try to get the best out of him, and finally it looks as though we got it right.”

Buchanan took visors off Hellova Nature, and replaced them with a kineton nose band.

“It’s not that he is a hard pulling type, but I really wanted to see him settle in his races.

“The gear change worked, and I’m hoping now that he has won another race, he can win more.

“Also, I’m certain that Hellova Nature is best on a dry track.”

Hellova Nature surged past his rivals in the straight to defeat Take The Rap ($11) and Wootton Way ($3.10).

The Hellbent five-year-old is raced by a Calibre Racing syndicate. He fetched $45,000 as a 2022 Gold Coast National yearling, and Newcastle trainer Nathan Doyle prepared him for his first two wins until he was transferred to Buchanan last year.

Gravel Road had a RacingNSW stewards’ warning placed on him in respect to his racing manners after he was unplaced (the stewards’ report was longer than your arm) two races before Hellova Nature won.

“Nothing went right,” Buchanan said.

“He gets unbalanced on the home turn, and I do feel he will be better over further than yesterday’s 1000m.

“In spite of his defeat, there’s no doubting his ability.”

Gravel Road won on debut at Wyong over 1100m in February 10, and yesterday was only his second start.

He is clearly not the finished product yet.

. Newcastle trainers Jason Deamer and Steve Hodge were in the winning list at Tuncurry yesterday.

Deamer took the Maiden Handicap (1305m) with Percolate (Luke Rolls) at $4.60; the Zoustar three-year-old filly was having her fourth start, and first for her new trainer.

Hodge won’t mind taking Lika Remi back to Tuncurry for the next meeting – or any meeting there for that matter.

A $4.80 chance and ridden by Serg Lisnyy, the five-year-old Under The Louvre mare is now unbeaten from three starts at the track.

She defeated Seething Chuck ($6) and Rivoli Star ($11) in the Benchmark 50 Handicap (1305m).

STORY JOHN CURTIS, MAY 10, 2026 - PICS BRADLEY PHOTOS