Valley Winner To Have Another Shot

Thursday, 24 June 2010 03:44

Trainer Tom Hughes intends on backing-up Have A Shot to race at Flemington on Saturday following his hard-fought victory at Moonee Valley on Wednesday.

Have A Shot raced close to the speed the entire trip under the guidance of Dean Holland before defeating Rollins by ¾ lengths in the $30,000 Essendon Hyundai iX35 0-78 Handicap (1533m) yesterday.

They spaced the others with Packing Success finishing third a further 3-1/2 lengths away.

Immediately after the victory, Hughes stated his intentions for the horse to run three days later in the $70,000 Australian Lamb Company Handicap (1630m).

“I’m a big chance of backing him up, that was the plan before today," Hughes said.

“You only have to look at his coat, you’d have to be a cruel person to turn him out into the cold,” he said before adding, “We don’t over work him, he is a happy horse.”

Describing Have A Shot as “just a nice little horse,” Hughes noted the five-year-old is racing in a rich vain of form.

“He’s had eight runs this preparation for five wins, a second and a third.”

That may be due to the relationship Holland has formed with the the son of Regal Shot. He has ridden the gelding in six of those starts for five wins.

“I love riding him and I’ve always got confidence in him when I’m riding him - he’s tough,” Holland said upon returning to scale yesterday.

“He’s still learning. Everytime I get off him I say he’s still learning but everytime I get off him he’s improved.”

Holland is set to take the reins once again this Saturday with Have A Shot drawn barrier three.

Have A Show boasts an overall record of five wins from ten starts with his prizemoney in excess of $66,000.

Pictures: Colin Bull