FIRST-UP SPECIALIST HULL DOES IT AGAIN

JAKE Hull not only can train but is proving pretty adept at preparing his horses to win first-up.

The former jockey turned trainer did it again yesterday with lightly-raced mare Dize, who scored at the Welllington carnival at her first start for him.

Stepping out without racing since an unplaced Hawkesbury outing last August, Dize ($2.30 favorite) led throughout under his apprentice Millie Thompson in the Class 1 Handicap (900m).

It was Gosford-based Hull’s 30th training career winner, and his eighth this season, and ensured a long day was indeed worthwhile.

“We got most of the horses worked before leaving for Wellington at 9am, and didn’t get home until 11.30 last night,” Hull said.

“I picked out this race because Dize is such a speedy mare, but in reality she was probably too speedy for such a tricky track and did a few things wrong.

“But she won, and it was great for both Millie and my major owner John O’Connor.

“Millie comes to work each morning with a smile on her face, and is a terrific worker.

“I’m trying to give her the best opportunities I can.

“And John is such a fantastic owner and great supporter, and I would love him to get a really good horse.”

Hull prepared Dize, a four-year-old daughter of Shalaa and the unraced Commands mare Beidenezed, who cost O’Connor $70,000 at the 2022 Inglis Classic yearling sale, on the back of an 850m trial on the Beaumont track on March 5.

“She ran second in the trial after leading, and took a lot of improvement out of it,” Hull said.

“Millie also rode her in the trial, and I told her yesterday after Dize drew in the inside barrier at Wellington that I expected her to jump, lead and win.”

Dize clearly won the start, and defeated $21 chance Sorrento Palace and El Beatle ($5) to post her second success from only six starts.

Already this season Hull has prepared horses such as Voigner (Quirindi), Red Spector and Externus (both Coffs Harbour) for first-up victories, and now Dize, and says it is something he strives to achieve.

“Racing of course is very competitive and if you can have your horses ready to be very competitive first-up, that stands them in good stead for a preparation,” he said.

Whilst Dize was his first Wellington starter, he won’t be in any hurry to take her back there, but quickly sorted out another race to try to win two in a row.

“There’s a Class 2 Handicap (1000m) at Grafton on April 13,” he said. “All going well, that’s where we will head.”

Story John Curtis, March 29, 2025 - Pics Bradley Photos