THERE was a Swan Hill racing showdown in Ballarat this week as star local jockey Harry Coffey took on star local trainer Nathan Hobson in the $27,000 Hygain Winner’s Choice Handicap.
A small field of seven jumped in Tuesday’s race, with Dillinger proving the hot shot at the barrier, leaping quickly to the front.
But Coffey then seemed content to let Linda Meech take Hydrogen Power around him after a few hundred metres and then happily took the trail for the rest of the 1600m journey.
As they headed into the last turn, Coffey wasted no time easing off the fence and starting to swing around the pacemaker – a last-start winner itself.
But when they straightened and headed for home, it pretty well seemed like a matter of by how far for Coffey on the heavily-backed favourite.
Except no-one had given the message to the Hobson horse, which decided it wasn’t out there just to make up the numbers, it was there to win.
With Meech back in the saddle after her great win on him at Swan Hill nine days earlier – also over the mile – this suddenly looked a very serious duel indeed.
In more ways than one – both riders are also in the top 10 for the Victorian jockeys championship and only one win separates them.
But the McEvoy trained five-year-old gelding’s experience would finally prove the difference, and with Hydrogen Power feeling the pinch after making the step up from a last start 0-58 to this week’s BM64, the post just couldn’t come fast enough through the last 100m – with Coffey and Dillinger pulling away for a comfortable win. And a Swan Hill quinella.
Speaking post-race, Coffey admitted he had found himself working a little harder than expected as they headed for him.
“Yes, Linda was getting pretty vocal on her horse, urging it along, and I think my fellow was scared and didn’t want to go near them,” he grinned.
“But he got the job done, although he took a little bit of talking into it.
“He was a little bit sluggish today, so it was nice for him to get the win and a little bit of confidence as it has been a while, and he has had a little bit of time off.”
Coffey said the way Dillinger relaxed throughout the run made him think the horse might want to go a little bit further.
He said having that time off also meant the horse was a little bit rusty, so he still sees plenty of improvement to come.
“And that need for improvement is not only fitness wise, but also race day as well,” Coffey said.
“I think that will all come further into this prep, I just reckon he might have forgotten how hard you have to fight to win a race – you’re not in a gallop or a trial here.
“So traditionally he is a very good galloper and trialler at home and obviously race day pressure is different, and it was good for him to experience that again today.
“Because first up – a 1400m at Ballarat on March 7 after more than six months out – he didn’t get the greatest crack at them, and he was a little held up, and had a fairly easy day at the races.
“Whereas today he was up against the ruck and the leader ran really well at Swan Hill the other day and I thought would be hard to catch.
“But luckily we had our eye on them.”
