Tamworth trainer Sue Grills was impressed with Hammoon Boy’s first run for the new stable.
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At Dubbo Tuesday, Grills hopes the well performed seven-year-old can go one better in the Lion XXXX Gold Flying Prelude (1120m).
At Hammoon Boy’s age it’s hard to see the gelding improving, Grills admitted, but she believes there are more wins in store for the son of Bite The Bullet.
After a 24-day break since transferring from Jeff Englebrecht’s stables, Hammoon Boy did a good job gaining ground over the latter stages when a length second to Chilli Zaim in a 810m Benchmark 70 event at Coffs Harbour on July 27.
“The horse ran really well I thought,” Grills said.
“It was only 800m which really isn’t his go but he got to the line good and pulled up well after the run.”
Grills has given the gelding another 30-day freshen up.
“I’ve only had him a short time but he’s settled into our routine well,” Grills said.
“He’s been a grand old horse. He’s come to me sound and he’s an easy horse to train.
“I’m hopeful he can win a few more races for the owners, who are good clients of mine.”
Hammoon Boy is raced by Paul Frampton and his wife. The gelding has recorded eight wins and seven placing’s from 35 starts earning just shy of $100,000.
Grills hopes she has found the right race for Hamoon Boy to add to his record.
“He’s got a lovely weight (55kg), a good barrier (one) and top jockey (Matthew Cahill). He’s got a bit going for him,” Grills added.
“My only concern is if there is more rain about. They are predicting more bad weather. He handles it soft but his record suggests he’s not real good if it’s very heavy.”
Dubbo trainer Clint Lundholm is one who won’t be too concerned if the track has a heavy rating.
Spanish Fly will line up against Hammoon Boy after scoring a win at a Heavy 10 rated Dubbo Turf Club on June 17.
The win was the mare’s first since February and she followed it up with a disappointing ninth placed finish at Gunnedah on July 2.
She hasn’t raced since then and will be one of the outsiders on Tuesday, with her benchmark rating of 58 far below the likes of rivals Agent at 83 and fellow Dubbo trainer Dar Lunn’s Grass Cutter, who has a rating of 72.
Grass Cutter has been racking up the kilometres in recent times, with his last three starts at Randwick, Moree and Warwick Farm.
That metropolitan experience is expected to reap benefits and Grass Cutter will be among the favourites while Craig Weeding will be hoping his trip from Hawkesbury with Agent will be successful. Agent comes to Dubbo with six wins from 47 career starts.
Racing starts at 12.55pm with the seventh and final event at 5.15pm.