The Insider 10th November 2023

Nov 10, 2023

Do you want the good news or the bad news regarding Bellinger? 

Okay, let’s get the bad news out of the way and then we can forget about it. 

Bellinger missed the kick in Race 6 at Bendigo on Wednesday and never really got himself into the race. 

The good news is that his next target is back at his favourite track and worth a cool $105,000. 

Helluva Barty Racing at Doomben on 28th Oct 2023

NOTHING WENT RIGHT

As trainer Ben Hayes quipped after the race “Unfortunately he missed the start, which just put us on the back foot and he just found 1100 metres a little short for him after blowing the start” 

“It was a total forgive run” 

Bellinger officially finished 7th, beaten less than four lengths and actually hit the line well. 

“Unfortunately it didn’t really go to plan, we just couldn’t keep up, they were too sharp for him early. 

“But he is in lovely condition and he was doing his best work late to the line and there was a lot of merit with how he finished off” jockey Laura Lafferty said.

Bellinger in the stalls pre-race at Bendigo

“There was a lot of merit with how he finished off” Jockey Laura Lafferty

Bellinger racehorse Vic Husslers

PULLED UP WELL

While it was disappointing for the large crew of Vic Husslers who made the two-hour trip from Melbourne to Bendigo they still had a great day celebrating their horse and enjoying Bendigo Cup day as owners. 

“I’m pleased to report he has come through the run well. 100 percent, has eaten up well and has lovely clean legs, we can’t fault him” Ben confirmed. 

A RICH TARGET FOUND

Bellinger has notched four wins for the Vic Husslers two of them have come at Morphettville in Adelaide and it looks like that’s where his next target will be. 

“Just looking at his options going forward, with his rating now it’s quite difficult, but he has qualified to run at Morphettville again on the 25th (November) over 1200m it’s a qualifying race and Bellinger contested some of the series races in the lead-up and it looks like he has enough points to get in.

“It’s worth $105,000 and that’s the race we are going to look at, back to 1200m at his favourite track, we are hopeful of getting a nice result there,” Ben said

GOOD RESULT FOR ADELAIDE-BASED HUSSLERS

While Husslers based in Victoria may find it head-scratching that Bellinger is heading back to Adelaide, it’s a good result for a big contingent of Husslers based in Adelaide. 

And while it’s preferable for team horses to race in their home state, TRL is in full agreement with trainer Ben Hayes “that the trainer’s job is to place the horse where the best possibility of winning is and I think we’ve done that”. 

Just confirming Bellinger’s next target is at Morphettville on November 25. 

Go you good thing! And Go The Husslers – Good luck on Cup Day! 

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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