HULL’S “SOFT SPOT” FOR QUIRINDI

JAKE Hull undoubtedly has a “soft spot” for Quirindi!

He went back there yesterday to the track where he got the last winner of his riding career.

The result was the same – but this time on the other side of racing’s fence as a trainer.

Gosford-based Hull, who is making as great fist of his training venture, led in his 48^th winner when lightly-raced filly Dingle Grey (pictured) took the Class 1 Handicap (1200m) to make it two wins from only four starts.

Ridden by Luke Rolls (his first winner for Hull), Dingle Grey ($4.80) surged home on the extreme outside of the track to defeat the $3.40 joint favorites Indi Springs and Imperial State.

Hull rode more than 150 winners, and the last of them was at Quirindi on June 20, 2020 on former South Australian gelding Wallace Street ($4.60), who came from last of 10 runners in a Class 3 Handicap (1200m).

He “retired” after only six more rides.

“I haven’t had many runners at Quirindi, so it was good to go back there and get a winner,” Hull said today.

Dingle Grey, a three-year-old daughter of Red Henno, with whose progeny Hull is having so much success for his major client John O’Connor, was at similar odds to Wallace Street – and the trainer couldn’t believe it.

“Dingle Grey drifted in the betting, but I wasn’t worried as I was pretty confident she would be hard to beat,” Hull said.

“She was dropping back provincial grade to the country.

“The distance (1000m) at her last run was too short when fifth at Gosford on Anzac Day, but I couldn’t find a more suitable race for her.

“She had won easily at Wyong at her previous start, and yesterday’s 1200m was indeed to her liking.

“Dingle Grey has pulled up well, and we will continue with her preparation.

“I’m sure she is up to winning better races, definitely at the provincials at least.

“There’s no doubt she will appreciate 1400m eventually when she can be ridden quieter and produce the nice turn of foot she has.”

Hull nominated Dingle Grey’s stablemate Allapercanto for a Midway Benchmark 72 Handicap (1700m) at Scone on Saturday, but instead she will line up at the Kensington track tomorrow in a Benchmark 64 Handicap (1800m), with Keagan Latham aboard.

Private Harry will conclude his racing campaign at Doomben on Saturday.

The four-year-old will line up in the $1.5m Group 1 Doomben Ten Thousand (1200m), and has drawn barrier four in a capacity field of 16.

Private Harry, who won the Group 1 The Galaxy (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens in March last year for Kurrinda Bloodstock and Newcastle trainer Nathan Doyle, will stand his first season at stud in the new season at Yulong Investments’ recently acquired Segenhoe Stud in the Hunter Valley.

STORY JOHN CURTIS, MAY 12, 2026 - PICS BRADLEY PHOTOS