Bellinger – The horse that never gives up

Jan 31, 2024

Where do we start with our old mate Bellinger and how do we explain his bad fortune of late?

What about a good horse out of luck!

Surely, that’s the case for Bellinger who has been desperately unlucky his last two starts and easily could have added another two wins to his tally of 5 already for the Vic Husslers.

And that’s after being grabbed on the post at Morphettville 3 starts back in the Sprint Series Final and beaten by a pimple.

Helluva Barty Racing at Doomben on 28th Oct 2023

WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN AT THE VALLEY

To have a day in the Owners Room at Moonee Valley on a Saturday is still a special day. To own a horse that runs so well and finishing third at the Valley is still an enormous thrill. 

But we all know it could have been better. 

“He showed no early speed, he was really good again. It was just a matter of trying to find somewhere to go. 

He came to the outside and quickened well; he could not have finished any better,” jockey Luke Currie said. 

Co-trainer Will Hayes also lamented what could have been. 

“Look, we just got too far back and had to ride for luck. Unfortunately, luck didn’t come our way again. But for me, it was a great run. He’s a happy horse, and a win is just around the corner” Hayes said. 

Bellinger in the stalls pre-race at Bendigo

“He could not have finished any better”  Jockey Luke Currie

Hot Spring Gold Racing

FANTASTIC RECORD

Bellinger is simply one of those horses everyone would like to own and his record for the VIC Husslers is fantastic. 

‘Belli’ was one of the first horses purchased for the Husslers for the bargain price of $90,000 in the middle of 2021. 

His record for the Husslers now stands at 26 starts, 5 Wins, 5 Seconds & 4 Thirds and he has amassed $218,575 for his owners.

Now a 6-year-old, his fast-finishing third on Saturday at Moonee Valley may have actually been his best run yet for the Husslers. 

I’ll let you debate that among yourselves. 

“He’s pulled up fantastic, he’s just been so consistent this prep without getting a win” Trainer Ben Hayes

 

WHAT’S NEXT

There’s no denying he loves a road trip, but instead of jumping on a float and heading across the border to Adelaide, the Hayes team has hatched a different plan. 

“He’s pulled up fantastic, he’s just been so consistent this prep without getting a win.

He has improved this preparation to compete at this level. 

We are very happy with him and we are looking at two lovely races in Sydney, now he’s never been to Sydney and he will be on the Sydney leg so it will be a bit of an experiment. 

The 10th of February at Randwick there’s a Benchmark 78 1200m or the week later at Randwick there’s a 1200 and 1300 metre option, unfortunately, there’s not much in Melbourne.” Ben Hayes said. 

With the huge prize money on offer in Sydney, let’s hope it is an inspired move where Belli’s luck changes and the Husslers do a huge snatch and grab job north of the border, if they do, they will be a great chance of taking out Month 4 and the $10,000 monthly cash prize.

Lindsay Park will keep all owners informed of the plan closer to the date.

Go you good thing!

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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!

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