HULL’S GRAFTON DEBUTANTE WAS SPECTACULAR INDEED

JAKE Hull’s winning run with the stock of the stallion Red Henno seemingly knows no bounds!

For the third time in the last nine days, the Gosford trainer successfully saddled a debutante by the sire – and the youngster was spectacular at Grafton today.

Five-times winner Red Henno, a son of the multiple Group 1 winner Redoute’s Choice, is owned by Hull’s major client, Feale Park’s John O’Connor.

Three-year-old Spectorious, well backed to start a $3 second favorite, blew the start in the Maiden Plate (1000m), and his chances looked forlorn.

At least 10 lengths astern of leading pair Comme Si Comme Ca ($13) and $2.05 favorite Kissavos, the gelding unleased a Sheza Alibi-type turn of foot in the straight to trounce his rivals and score by a widening near five lengths.

“I’ve had a good opinion of Spectorious for quite a while, and he has been flying at home,” Hull said en route home this evening.

“But I was shattered when he drew the outside in an original field of 14 (this was reduced to 10 after scratchings).

“It dented my confidence, but I still expected him to run well.”

Newcastle apprentice Shannen Llewellyn, who has struck up a good combination riding Hull’s horses, was true to her word.

She made the trip to Grafton for the one ride on Spectorious.

“Shannen told me she would go Mars to ride Spectorious after she ran second on him in a Wyong trial on March 5,” Hull explained.

“She said the gelding gave her a really good feel, and then she won a Beaumont trial on him 12 days later.

“Shannen is riding really well, and is doing a terrific job whenever she rides my horses.

“She didn’t panic when Spectorious was slowly away, which I didn’t expect.

“He has been a touch slow in his trials, but nothing like what happened today.

“I was worried when Spectorious was a long way off the lead before the turn, especially as the favorite looked to be travelling so easily.”

Spectorious is a younger brother to Red Spector, with whom Hull also won at Coffs Harbour in December 2024 at only his second start, and the now four-year-old is back in work and only a few weeks off trialling.

Hull scored with other Red Henno progeny Diva Rouge at Armidale on March 29, and Dingle Grey at Wyong last Saturday.

STORY JOHN CURTIS, APRIL 7, 2026 - PICS BRADLEY PHOTOS