HULL WELCOMES BACK STABLE ACES

THE news of Jake Hull’s breakthrough victory with lightly-raced Diva Rouge at Armidale yesterday got even better today.

The Gosford trainer welcomed his two smart sprinters Ferinzo and Valilee back to the track this morning after let-ups.

Hull was understandably pleased to see Diva Rouge put her first win on the board in the Maiden Handicap (1100m) as a $2.50 favorite.

Ridden by Newcastle apprentice Shannen Llewellyn, the four-year-old homebred bolted home by nearly four lengths at her fifth start.

It was the 43^rd winner of former jockey Hull’s training career, and Llewellyn’s 121^st.

“Diva Rouge was bred by my major client John O’Connor from his stallion Red Henno and the General Nediym mare Go Diva Go,” Hull said today.

‘We haven’t rushed her and didn’t race her as a two-year-old.

“She ran well at her first two starts at Taree and Scone in winter last year and then had a good spell.”

When Hull returned Diva Rouge to the racetrack to begin a new campaign, things went awry.

“Something happened in the barriers at Scone in January.

“Diva Rouge reared up as the start was effected and hit her head on the cross bar and flipped over backwards.

“Thankfully her rider Jenny Duggan was okay and whilst the mare was banged up a bit, she recovered well.

“Diva Rouge had to trial (she won an 800m heat at Hawkesbury on February 24) before being passed by RacingNSW stewards, and there hasn’t been a problem since.

“It was just one of things.”

Diva Rouge went back to the races at Armidale on March 13 and was narrowly beaten in a Super Maiden (1100m), and made no mistake over the same course yesterday.

“Given the problems we had earlier in the year, it was great to see her break through,” Hull said.

“She definitely has ability, and I don’t think that will be her last win.”

Hull was understandably thrilled to have Ferinzo and Valilee back at the track this morning, and is looking forward to them both having good preparations.

Four-year-old Ferinzo has won three of his five starts, and hasn’t raced since making his city debut when third in a Benchmark 72 Handicap (1250m) at the Canterbury night meeting on February 20.

Five-year-old Valilee has won three of his four starts, and hasn’t appeared since scoring at home on December 28 in a Benchmark 64 Handicap (1000m) under 61.5kg.

. THE funeral of legendary Gosford trainer Albert Stapleford will be held at Palmdale Lawn Cemetery & Memorial Park (57 Palmdale Road, Palmdale) tomorrow week (Tuesday, April 7) at 12.30pm.

A wake will be held afterwards at Gosford racecourse.

Stapleford passed away yesterday morning at 95 years of age. He trained for more than seven decades and prepared 501 winners.

STORY JOHN CURTIS, MARCH 30, 2026 - PICS BRADLEY PHOTOS