Can Hell burn off the opposition on Saturday?
That will be the task facing the very speedy Tony Gollan trained five-year-old gelding when he takes his place in an Open Handicap over 1200m at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
The son of Hellbent won in typical fashion two runs back in a BM78 Handicap over 1200m.
He was pushed forward early by Jai Williams, quickly establishing a lead of a touch under four lengths, which he maintained with a concentrated gallop all the way to the home turn. Then, when seemingly starting to come under pressure halfway up the home straight, Hell kicked again under Jai Willaims to leave the best of his rivals changing shadows in their chase for the minor placings.
That was Williams first ride aboard Hell. Williams enjoys a 3kg apprentice allowance and, with the young rider doing everything right in the win, Williams retained the ride in Hell’s next start at the Sunshine Coast, again over 1200m, this time in a BM90 Handicap.
It was a familiar early theme with Williams pushing Hell into the lead, but this time the lead was by a narrower margin than in his previous winning run, being just 1.50 lengths to the home turn.
By the 300m mark, Hell appeared under siege with Pocket Full, the runner who had tracked Hell in second place throughout, really applying tremendous pressure to Hell’s outside, with a number of other runners lining up behind that ready to stake their claim.
Hell was brave though, very brave, and, under Williams’ urgings, the Gollan trained runner got the better of Pocket Full, and he was still in front inside the last 20m only for Hatchet to flash home late to snare Hell in the shadow of the post.
Hell never stopped fighting there, sending a clear message to all future rivals that he will not give ground easily. If you want to beat him … you have got to beat him.
On Saturday at Doomben, nine opponents will attempt to do just that … including both Hatchet and Pocket Full who will be looking to get in Hell’s way again.
Williams 3kg claim should again be a factor aboard Hell in the likely ‘catch me if you can stakes’ where he is expected to make good use of his better number three barrier draw … he jumped from barriers eight and ten in his last two starts.
Hell has raced four times since transferring to the Golan yard earlier this season. He has recorded that win and two runner-up finishes for his new stable … to take his overall race record to eight wins and eight minor placings from twenty-one starts.
Hell had previously had spells with the Tony and Calvin McEvoy training partnership (5 starts) and with trainer Nick Walsh (12 starts for seven wins).
