BALLARAT: King Hoaks Breaks His Drought
Story By Tim Bull
Monday, 18 February 2008: While that assessment has not changed, it has taken him a frustratingly long time to record victory number three, but he did it in style at Ballarat last Thursday.
In the 10 months and nine races since his last victory King Hoaks has run some unlucky places and bumped into a few handy ones, which even had his trainer wondering when win number three would arrive.
“Yes it is about time – I was wondering when I was going to get my next winner full stop. The horses have been generally running well, but just couldn't break through,” said Bennett after the win.
“I was going to go up in distance, but I kept him to this 1200 metre race as I wanted to qualify him for the showcase final at Bendigo on Sunday week.
“This was the final heat and I just wanted to get some points to make sure he qualified. It's worth $75,000 and it's over 1300 metres, which I think will be ideal for him.
“The thing now is that we just have to draw a gate as the 1300 at Bendigo can be a bit tricky if you draw out,” she said.
Part owner of King Hoaks, Ellis Stevens, made the very long trip form Orbost in the state's far east to see his charge win at Ballarat.
ANNIE DOES IT AGAIN
Tough little Sale trained mare, Annie's Courage again showed all her determination to win at Pakenham on Friday.
Named by trainer Damien “Jack” Walkley after his mother, Annie's Courage is racing in career best form.
She was set for the breeding barn last season before Jack's wife Debbie talked him into giving her another preparation.
In her past seven runs she had notched three wins, two seconds and two thirds to become the most consistent horse in Gippsland.
Still only a five year-old, her outstanding form this preparation, is bound to be the topic of more discussions around the Walkley dinner table when breeding season arrives this year.
ON THE ROAD AGAIN
Congratulations to Moe trainer Peter Gelagotis for his outstanding interstate training performances in recent weeks.
While the results have been a little frustrating, they are worthy of recognition.
On Sunday he took maiden, Tristasun to Launceston for the Listed $150,000 Gold Sovereign Stakes and the two year-old ran a great race to finish fourth.
This followed him taking Savquaw (third) and Crepes (second) to Adelaide in January and then Savquaw a week later backed up in the Listed Hobart Guineas for a strong third.
The Gelagotis boys, Peter and stable foreman/brother Manny, don't have a massive team of horses but have always been prepared to travel and tackle the bigger races.
The continued strong performance of their team is also testament to their astute purchasing at the sales.
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