New father Paul Hammersley hopes local knowledge will be a major advantage for Sir Moments against a large visiting contingent at the Gold Coast.
Sir Moments is aiming to go one better than his second last year to Leebaz in Saturday’s Group Two Hollindale Cup (1800m).
Hammersley has won 26 stakes races during his career, starting with the 2002 Group One Queensland Oaks, a race he claimed as an apprentice.
He is yet to win a stakes race at his home track at the Gold Coast but has a good record on the tricky circuit.
“I have won several feature races at the Gold Coast including the Magic Millions Guineas on Punch On and the Magic Millions Cup on Masai Pride,” Hammersley said.
“But those races were not black type because they are restricted to Magic Millions horses.”
He says knowledge of the track is also important for horses and Sir Moments has won twice and been placed twice at the Gold Coast.
Hammersley’s wife Beck gave birth to their daughter last week and he has been mixing early rises for trackwork with baby duties.
“I must admit I have been getting home from track work and having a nap,” he said.
Hammersley believes Sir Moments has the class to win the Hollindale and then a Group One race.
“He can be a funny horses to ride. You have to time your run and sometimes he can hang in when he gets up to the leaders,” he said.
Hammersley said Sir Moments’ third in the Tails Quality at the Sunshine Coast two weeks ago was encouraging.
“He got caught three deep without cover and he had 61 kilos. To go under in a three-way photo-finish was a big effort,” he said.
Trainer Steve O’Dea will decide which direction Sir Moments takes after the Hollindale Cup.
“We will either push on to the Doomben Cup on May 21 over 2000 metres or freshen him up for the Stradbroke over 1400 on June 11,” O’Dea said.
