A home track treble today has put Hawkesbury trainers on the verge of cracking a double century in a season for the first time ever.
Terry Croft and Steve O’Halloran each won with their only runner at the meeting, and Team Attard joined the party to boost the number of winners since last August to 188, already a record – with a month remaining before the current racing year ends on July 31.
Croft took the Godolphin Family Fun Day 9 July 3YO Maiden Handicap (1400m) with Gallic Fox ($8), O’Halloran the Richmond Club Provincial Benchmark 64 Handicap (1000m) with Boomsong ($4 favorite), and co-trainers Jason Attard and Lucy Keegan-Attard the Lander Toyota Class 1 Handicap (1300m) with Leandra ($2.25 favorite).
O’Halloran made it two wins this month for the well-known Hannon family when successful with Boomsong, who was having his first start for him.
With Chad Lever aboard, Boomsong also did a good job, scoring first-up with only one trial under his belt.
He was strongest to the post to defeat Boss ($4.60) and Mr. Bingo ($6.50).
Boomsong wasn’t the quickest into stride, and his trainer considered it may have turned out to be a blessing in disguise.
“If he had jumped on terms, there would have been three of them cutting at one another in the lead, and been a sitting shot for another coming from behind,” O’Halloran said.
“Chad rode Boomsong when he won the trial at home last week, and I’m glad I had him on board today.
“The horse seems to race best on the fresh side, and I’ll see how he pulls up and does in the next few days before determining his next race.”
Determined Mink, who also won in the Boomsong colours, at Newcastle on June 10, has been sent for a spell.
The Hellbent two-year-old filly has raced only four times, and O’Halloran is convinced she will be an even better prospect next season.
*Words by John Curtis for hawkesburyraceclub.com.au
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