A couple of Hinterland’s owners will be hoping they can pull off a winning double when Boomerang races in the $40,000 Muswellbrook Cup tomorrow.
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At Dubbo on Saturday, Hinterland ($2.80) - raced by a syndicate that includes Kevin Hockey, Chris Davis and David Meathrel and their wives - continued his amazing comeback from injury to dominate the Myer Benchmark 55 Handicap (1400m).
Ridden a treat by Greg Ryan, Hinterland got into the clear in the straight and prevailed by three-quarters of a length from the fast-finishing Mr Resilient ($6.00, Michael Travers) Written Habit ($21.00, Anna Hozack) was a similar margin back in third.
With that win behind the stable, on Melbourne Cup day, Boomerang - owned by Hockey and Davis, along with Jeanette and Mick Nestor and Mark Reynolds - will be one of the main chances in the Muswellbrook Cup.
“I think he’ll be hard to beat,” Nestor said of Boomerang.
The seven-year-old has had two runs back this preparation with thirds at Dubbo and Coonamble over 100 metres.
He’ll step up to 1280m for the Gold Cup, a distance that should suit him.
Stable apprentice Kody Nestor will be back in the staddle able to make the 56.5kgs while Greg Ryan on the other hand will ride Skullas Sister for Tracey Bartley - a mare owned by a syndicate made up of Dubbo and district businessmen John Ferrari, David Ringland, breeders Roger and Nerida Atkinson as well as Todd Barlow, Robert Handsaker, Brian Kinsey, Alan Marks and Don Skewpeck.
She has been racing in consistent form of late but after winning at Bathurst on October 6 wasn’t at her best when eight on the same track.
However a win for Boomerang would continue a great run the Peter Nestor stable is having in recent times, mainly off the back of Dubbo Gold Cup winner Izababe.
But on Saturday at Dubbo Hinterland stepped up to the mark with a stylish win, a success that didn’t seem possible 12 months ago.
“Full marks to these owners, I had my doubts about him returning to racing after suffering tendon problems. They thought he was worth while getting treatment and wanted to persevere and now it’s paid off,” Peter Nestor said.
“Ross Pedrana (the vet) did all the work and with some new technology was able to get him back to racing.”
Kevin Hockey was obviously happy with the win: “It was a very impressive win,” he said.
Ryan told Nestor after the race that he felt when his horse got to the front he switched off and waited for the others to go to him.
But that was as close as they got.
Hinterland resumed racing at Dubbo on September 20 and was beaten a half head by Short Stay.
He went one better on Saturday.
