Brad Herne may only be a fledgling trainer but it is not preventing him from dreaming of winter carnival riches with Bart Cummings’ cast-off God’s Hand.
Herne, 35, has only been training for 18 months but hopes to steer God’s Hand towards the Listed Eye Liner Stakes at Ipswich in June if the gelding wins the CRC Handicap (1350m) at Doomben on Wednesday.
Herne started as an apprentice and rode for five years with the late Max Lees in Newcastle before quitting the saddle.
After six years working as foreman for Sydney’s Tim Martin and five years alongside Brisbane’s Liam Birchley, Herne decided to give training a shake in his own right.
“It’s been a struggle. All trainers will tell you that,” Herne said.
“But I’ve been lucky and I’ve been able to build up my stable to 18 now.”
Herne acquired God’s Hand four months ago when one of his clients looked interstate for a tried horse capable of winning against Brisbane opposition.
“Graham Sue has been a client of mine for a while and he bought God’s Hand off Bart Cummings,” Herne said.
“This is only his first preparation for me but if he goes well enough we’re hoping to run him in the Eye Liner Stakes during the winter.”
God’s Hand, winner of only four of his 39 starts before joining Herne, had his first Brisbane run when sixth in a 1200-metre class six at Eagle Farm in January when ridden by apprentice Mitchell Speers.
Michael Cahill then finished third on the seven-year-old to Absent Friends when stepping up to 1350 metres at Doomben on February 5 before a disappointing 11th to Lucky Luna in a 1615-metre Open at Doomben two weeks later.
“When Michael Cahill rode him he thought he could get to 2000 metres and was capable of racing around this area every two weeks,” Herne said.
“But I’ve spoken to his owner and we’ve decided to keep him to shorter races and race him on the fresh side.
“If Bart Cummings couldn’t get him to stay then I doubt if I can.
“He’s run some good races in Sydney and he can break 33 seconds (for the final 600m) so if he can do that in class six company he can do it in open grade.”
Herne was initially disappointed with God’s Hand’s last-start failure until he spoke with jockey Brad Stewart.
“Brad said it wasn’t that bad a run,” Herne said.
“He got stuck on the fence behind a 100-1 shot and he had a 100-1 shot on his outside and couldn’t go anywhere.”
Herne has trained five city winners and is hopeful God’s Hand will appreciate the drop back in class from Saturday grade to the midweeks.
AAP TURF
