JAKE Hull was beginning to question himself!
The young Gosford trainer had prepared his lightly-raced gelding Voigner for a first-up tilt at a Class 1 Handicap (1100m) at Quirindi on Monday – and was surprised at the odds bet about him.
“Voigner went into the race with two nice trials behind him, and told my owner I felt he had a really good chance of winning,” Hull said on Tuesday morning.
“I couldn’t believe it when $10 and $11 was available.
“I started to wonder if maybe I had read the race wrong.
“Whilst it was a fair race, Voigner was going back to country grade and in spite of his 61kg topweight, was a bit above them in my opinion.”
Hull need not have doubted himself.
Patiently ridden by Robbie Downey, Voigner ($10) burst through near the inside in the straight and then held off a late-finishing Miss Rebel ($3.30), who had come out of an easy Muswellbrook Maiden Plate (1000m) victory earlier in the month.
Voigner, a son of Rubick, was having only his seventh career start – and injuries have been the cause of that.
“He was placed at Port Macquarie at both his first runs for me early last year before we found he had chipped a bone in a fetlock,” Hull explained.
“As a result he required a long break and I won a Gosford Provincial Maiden Plate (1000m) second-up with him in April this year (pictured above).
“Josh Parr rode him and he bolted in by more than four lengths, but unfortunately was galloped on and sustained a deep cut to a leg.
“We were given the all clear to start him again three weeks later on Anzac Day in a Provincial Class 1 Handicap (1000m), but he didn’t run up to expectations and was turned out again.
“Now that Voigner has returned in winning form, he will have to go back to the provincials.
“Even though I had him ready to run well at Quirindi, there is definitely improvement left in him.”
Though naturally delighted to get back into the winning list – his second this season (High and Marty was the first at Grafton on September 9) – Hull was still upset at losing Sixfootone at Grafton on October 1.
Hull had won races at Taree last December and in February with the former South Australian gelding, who had to be euthanased after the Benchmark 66 Handicap (1175m) on a ‘Heavy 10’ track.
“I took a 100 per cent fit horse to the races, and didn’t bring him home,” he said.
“It’s been a quiet start to the season, but I’ve got plenty in work and our promising three-year-old Ferinzo is back in work and not far off trialling.
“Being a Magic Millions horse, the Guineas (1400m) at the Gold Coast in January is his target.”
The Cosmic Force gelding raced only twice last season, and trounced his rivals in the Springboard To Fame 2YO Showcase Plate (1175m) at the Grafton July carnival at his last appearance.
.
Newcastle trainers Jason Deamer and John Bannister also were to the fore at the Quirindi meeting.
Deamer was popular with punters, claiming a double with favorites Rose Water ($2.50) and Awesome Tycoon ($1.70). Ash Morgan rode both horses.
Bannister opened the day by scoring with $8 chance Oh No Bro, partnered by apprentice Shae Wilkes.
Story John Curtis, October 29, 2024 - Pics Bradley Photos
Comments