Gelding primed for success at Quirindi

Trained by Brett Thompson at Gulgong, the eight-year-old resumes in the Xmas At The Races December 13 Benchmark 70 Handicap (1100m).

Hewentwhoosh hasn't raced since winning the Gulgong Cup (1200m) on June 8, a break of 22 weeks.

"He's had a few little issues, nothing major but just niggly little things," Thomspon said.

"But he's over that all now and ready to race.

"I had him in at Warren but I didn't think he was quiet ready for 1200m first up so I waited for Quirindi. The 1100 metres will suit him better.

"The horse is really good. He feels good and is going good.

"To be honest he's going as good as he's ever gone. I'm really happy with him."

Hewentwhoosh has been a more than handy sprinter since his two-year-old days when he ran fourth in the Wellington Boot and won the Inglis Challenge at Scone.

The gelding has a record of 85 starts for 13 wins and 30 placings, earning $286,020 prizemoney.

He is raced by Thompson, his wife Kelley and others including Joe Mason, Caryl Burns, Don Makepeace and Dan Kurtz.

"He's been a good horse to all of us," Thompson added. "He's like old Star Of Universe. He keeps getting better with age."

While Hewentwhoosh hasn't trialled Thompson has given the gelding a 1000m jump out.

"He came through it (jump out) well," Thompson added. "He's ready to have a crack at them first up.

"He's been to Quirindi before and handled it well. The day he got beaten there he probably should have won."

Hewentwhoosh's last run at the tricky track resulted in a 1.7 lengths fourth in an open 1100m event on February 21.

The gelding will be ridden by 1.5kg claimer Jake Pracey-Holmes, reducing Hewentwhoosh's weight to 58.5kg.

"Hopefully Jake can get him to relax in running. If that happens and provided the track isn't too hard, Hewentwhoosh will find the line strongly," Thompson said.