By Andrew Mole
IT has only taken four starts for Swan Hill trainer Nathan Hobson to turn a 28-start plodder into a horse with potential.
Five-year-old mare Northanna made the field look pretty ordinary in the $25,000 Rushton Park Thoroughbreds Handicap over 1950m at Tatura, as she cruised to a two-length win on Saturday.
Owned by Noel Watson and family, who Hobson described as “great supporters of mine”, he said he would now have to start a serious look around at what might be available for his latest winner in the next few weeks.
Coming out of the inside gate, jockey Jarrod Fry simply tucked in on the fence just off the pace, and spent most of the journey standing up in the irons, simply waiting for the lead horses to feel the pressure.
“It was a really good ride by Jarrod, very patient and professional, and as they turned for home he finally sat down and got to work,” Hobson said.
“When they hit the front, as the field straightened for the run home, Jarrod had timed it perfectly – surging through the three early leaders and it never looked troubled from there.
“Jarrod and I have had a fair bit of luck together and he did another great job for me on Saturday.
“And having him on board really helps me because he always gives me an idea on the distance that will best suit a horse.
“I value that information as this horse, by Helmet, is certainly bred to have the ability to do something.”
Hobson described Northanna as a “big strapping mare” that he will keep ticking over to see how she improves, as the horse has only been in his stables for a matter of months.
“We had a little bit of work to do with her, she needed a bit of TLC and we also fixed some corns on her feet, which has also helped,” Hobson said.
“My team at the stables has also done a fantastic job with her, and Zoe Lloyd has been doing all her trackwork.
“She has also given me some good pointers on how Northanna has been coming on.”
Hobson also has Yulong Storm running in the Mitty’s Trophy over 1420m at Flemington’s Spring Classics Preview Day tomorrow (September 22), with Madison Lloyd in the saddle.
And Hobson wasn’t joking about the luck he and Fry are enjoying – their win with Northanna completed a double for the jockey, who had taken out the $25,000 Gold Plate over 1980m with Pebble Raider in the previous race.
