NOT for a moment did Steve Hodge think he would get a horse from Hong Kong in return after selling one there. a city winner at that!
He did – and the horse in question Bourbon Flyer won for his new trainer at home on Thursday at only his third start for him.
Ridden by Scone apprentice Cobi Vitler (who beat his stablemate and fellow apprentice Braith Nock on the runner-up), $21 chance Bourbon Flyer surged down the centre of the track from last to take the Class 1 Handicap (900m).
In an all-local result, Hodge’s Bourbon Flyer defeated Paul Perry’s Willingale ($5.50) and Nathan Doyle’s $2 favorite Reigning King.
Hodge sold an unraced three-year-old Lika Ryder (coincidentally also by Bourbon Flyer’s sire Flying Artie) to Hong Kong interests after he bolted in with an 800m Beaumont Maiden trial on September 29 last year.
“We had a very nice offer that was too good to refuse,” Hodge said on Thursday afternoon.
“He now races as My Wish and is being trained by Mark Newnham (who has recently completed his first season in Hong Kong after training at Royal Randwick).
“My Wish was just beaten at Sha Tin in late June over 1200m at only his second start, and Mark likes the horse.
“The Melbourne agent who sold him on our behalf got in touch earlier this year and asked if
I was interested in training another by Flying Artie.
“The horse was in a paddock in Victoria, and I was happy to have a go with him.
“And we’ve still got My Wish’s dam Set The Tone, who isn’t too far off foaling either a full sister or brother.”
Bourbon Flyer was a $50,000 purchase for Randwick trainer John Thompson at the 2020 Inglis Australian Easter yearling sale.
He won a 2YO Maiden (1100m) on debut on the Kensington track in February 2021, and then ran sixth in the Group 3 Black Opal Stakes (1200m) at Canberra and fourth in the Wellington Boot (1100m) before going to Hong Kong.
“Bourbon Flyer was trained by another Australian David Hall (who prepared Makybe Diva for the first of her three Melbourne Cups in 2003 before relocating overseas), but the gelding didn’t settle in and was unplaced in eight starts,” Hodge explained.
Bourbon Flyer returned a much bigger dividend ($37.90) on the NSW TAB, but his trainer unfortunately didn’t have a bet.
“He ran a terrific race first-up since May last year when fifth in a 900m Benchmark 64 Handicap at home on July 13, but then went terribly and finished last in a Provincial Class 1 Handicap (1200m) also at Newcastle on August 3,” Hodge said.
“I backed him that day, and decided to bring him back to the 900m but let him go around without me.”
Nonetheless Hodge was full of praise for winning rider Vitler, who is now focusing on provincial racing after riding plenty of winners in the country.
“Cobi is a mature age apprentice and can claim 3kg at the provincials,” he said. “He is sure to do well.”
Hodge, who manages the equine pool at Broadmeadow racecourse, has only a few horses in his care, and Bourbon Fyler is the sole one at present in racing trim.
. Hodge’s victory was the first of three winners for Newcastle trainers.
Kris Lees took the Benchmark 64 Handicap (1200m) with French Marine ($4.20), and Bec Dunn landed the closer, the Provincial Benchmark 64 Handicap (1600m) with $14 chance Inferencia.
Story John Curtis, August 15, 2024 - Pics Bradley Photos
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