WARRNAMBOOL’S training combination of Bill and Symon Wilde will saddle up Hinchley Wood and Brewski in today’s feature race at Warrnambool.
While Symon has put the finishing touches on the runners for today’s $30,000 restricted race over 1700 metres, Bill has been at the Karaka Premier Yearling Sales in New Zealand, where he parted with $100,000 for a colt by Nom du Jeu out of broodmare Sky Mist.
Symon said it was the highest priced horse the stable had bought.
“I’ve spoken to Bill and he reckons the yearling was a cracking type,” he said.
“He said he just had to buy him. We’ve never paid that sort of money for a yearling before.
“We’ve only got a couple of small shares left in him.
“It would be great if we can win the feature race with either Hinchley Wood or Brewski. A win might help to pay a couple of bills which are there since Bill went to New Zealand.”
Hinchley Wood has been knocking on the door for a win with three seconds and two thirds from his past five starts, but Symon said the five-year-old found it difficult to win when he was up in the weights.
“He’s been a good, consistent horse. With the two-kilogram claim for Harry Coffey he’s not badly treated, but he just finds it tough carrying the bigger weights,” Symon said.
“He’s a difficult horse to place now because he’s been so consistent.
“He’s got a good record over 1700m around Warrnambool, so you would think he will be in the finish.
“He’s done well since his last run at Ballarat.”
Brewski has a win and two minor placings to his credit from his past three outings.
Symon said the six-year-old was in good shape.
“I’m very happy how Brewski is going into the race. He can just mix his form a bit. He can run a slashing race and then put in a poor run,” he said.
Geelong trainer Heath Connors said he would use today’s event as a stepping stone for Bel Rhythm to soon run in a 2000m Melbourne race.
“His win last time at Ararat was good. He beat Brewski home in that race and I reckon he will do the same again,” Connors said.
“Bel Rhythm has had a few issues during his career but I reckon we’ve got him pretty spot on for this race.”
The restricted handicap will be run at 4pm.
