If Only… Bellinger

Jan 9, 2024

Bellinger Racing at Geelong

It’s impossible to keep watching the replay of Bellinger at Geelong on Saturday and not keep thinking “If Only”. 

If only he didn’t draw barrier 12 to start with. 

If only he didn’t have to go back to last from that wide barrier. 

If only he could have settled second last, one off the fence instead of last and stuck on the fence. 

If only it wasn’t a leader bias track at Geelong, virtually making it impossible to come from the back of the field and win. 

If only he could have found some clean air in the straight instead of running into the back of other runners. 

In the end, Bellinger and the Vic Husslers had to settle for 5th instead of 1st, and 3,000 points in the league ladder, which moved them up to 2nd in month 3. Another win for Belli and a significant points haul doesn’t seem that far away on the back of Saturday’s effort. 

Helluva Barty Racing at Doomben on 28th Oct 2023

LUKE CURRIE DID NOTHING WRONG

None of the above was the fault of jockey Luke Currie, he was simply a victim of circumstances.

“He ran fantastic; he wasn’t that well away and was slow early, so we went back and had to ride for luck.

“If we could have swapped positions with the horse next to us, we would have got some clean air, and I reckon he wins.

“Just as it was, he got a bit of room and went zip, but had too many horses in front of him and ran into a wall of horses just short of the line.

“He couldn’t have run any better” jockey Luke Currie said.

Bellinger in the stalls pre-race at Bendigo

“Another Win is just around the corner ”  Trainer JD Hayes post-race

Bellinger racehorse Vic Husslers

ANOTHER WIN SOON

Trainer JD Hayes had nothing but praise for Bellinger and declared on the back of that run it’s only a matter of time before he delivers win number 6 for the Husslers.

“How unlucky can you be, he was enormous. Another win is just around the corner for this bloke who always gives his best” JD said post-race.

NEXT STEPS

“He has pulled up well, but we are finding it hard to find a suitable race for him. The earliest race we can find for him is at the Valley on January 27; it’s a benchmark 78 over 1200m.

I’ve got no doubt he’ll hold his form and run another bottler of a race” trainer JD Hayes said.

We can’t wait for January 27, and keep those fingers crossed for a good barrier, some long overdue luck, and perhaps we won’t be saying ‘If Only’..

Go you good thing!

OWN NOW

BOUNCE BACK FACTOR 

As Tycoons were made aware of, there’s a theory in racing that when a horse suffers from cardiac arrhythmia, “you must back it next start” and they win. 

And that was certainly the message after Cool Jakey suffered cardiac arrhythmia the previous start at Randwick, with Joe Pride telling Tycoons in the pre-race late mail, “Don’t worry about what happened last start, the horse is fine and he looks great,” how right Joe was with Cool Jakey leading all the way.

COOL JAKEY THE KING OF WARWICK FARM 050325

Cool Jakey battling to the line with Emmadella

Cool Jakey trainer Joe Pride, Brave Pride, Jockey Adam Hyeronimus and TK

Trainer Joe Pride and son Brave Pride, Jockey Adam Hyeronimus and TRL Rep TK

HIPPO FROM BARRIER TO BOX

Adam Hyeronimus was having his first sit on Cool Jakey and he rode him a treat. We joked before the race “just go to the front and improve your position” and that’s exactly what he did. 

“He jumped well and found a nice rhythm straight away, he had a nice time so I let him slide early into it at the 600metres so we did go a bit early. 

“He felt fantastic throughout the run and was doing it easily, so I did get a bit of a surprise how quickly he stopped. 

“So maybe I did go too early, but in saying that, maybe seven furlongs is his upper limit. On that effort he’ll be winning again” Jockey Adam Hyeronimus said.

JOE DELIGHTED

“That was good guys” trainer Joe Pride said, with a big smile to a large contingent of NSW Tycoons on Cool Jakey returning to scale. 

“Look it was nice to see him win on a track that wasn’t bottomless wet, it opens up a lot more opportunities for him. 

“In saying that if there was a 1400m for him in a fortnight on a Good track I would probably be reluctant to start him. We need to nurse him through it and the next month – six weeks isn’t going to be easy because it’s carnival time. 

Cool Jakey the king of Warwick Farm with NSW Tycoons

Cool Jakey in the winners circle with NSW Tycoons’ owners

WHATS NEXT – PACK YOUR BAGS

The Tycoons have been very patient with Cool Jakey and their patience has been rewarded. He is building a very nice career record which stands at only 13 starts for 5 wins and a minor placing and is now pushing the $200,000 in prize money. 

‘Jakey’ has initially pulled up well, but we all know that he is a delicate soul and has to be treated with kindness and Joe is reluctant to push him too hard too quickly. Which is fair enough. 

“We might even consider travelling him maybe to Melbourne or Brisbane for a wet track, we just need to look after him.

“He’s been a good horse for us, we will look after him and his best opportunities will come in the Winter,” Joe concluded. 

Congratulations to all NSW Tycoons and winning connections.

Go you good thing!

VIEW & PURCHASE RACEDAY IMAGES
OWN NOW