SUCCESS does not always have to be measured in terms of victory.
Such a case happened for Swan Hill trainer Nathan Hobson, who nearly pulled off a coup with new stable addition Snip The Dancer at Moonee Valley last Friday night.
Snip The Dancer provided Hobson with one of the thrills of his training career — we say one of, because it would have been the undisputed highlight if his charge was not edged out by Cult Of Isis in the $80,000 Tour Of Victoria Final (1200m).
Despite going down by centimetres, Hobson was happy to relive his first experience with a runner at the Valley when he spoke to The Guardian.
“I would have been happy if he ran top five, so to finish second was still a great result…”
“It was a big thrill that’s for sure,” Hobson said.
“At the corner when he was travelling well in front and most of the field was under the bat I thought gee he is a chance of winning this and it took a good one to beat him.
“I would have been happy if he ran top five, so to finish second was still a great result.”
Hobson, who mixes part-time training with a full-time job as a carpenter, said the occasion was made even more special with the presence of his mum Rhonda on course.
“Mum came down from Murrabit for the trip and a number of the owners, who are based in Drouin, Warragul and Darnum, were on course as well,” Hobson said. “It was a big night for everyone and we’re tossing up whether we’ll go back to the Valley on the long weekend for a $35,000 race or head to Echuca for a $40,000 race on Cup Day.”
Hobson said a firm decision would be made early next week, but was leaning to another trip downtown, particularly as his new stable star seems to thrive on the StrathAyr surface.
FRESH from winning last Saturday’s Balranald Cup, Swan Hill trainer Gavin Murphy is setting his sights on something bigger with quality mare Evie Rose.
Murphy said his stable star had been back in work for the past fortnight and will be aimed at winning June’s $100,000 Murray Downs Swan Hill Cup (1600m).
Evie Rose enjoyed her best preparation last spring, winning restricted races at Kilmore and Ballarat in October prior to a dashing front-running triumph in the prestigious $77,000 China Bowl (1600m) at Ararat.
