Saab Hasan has welcomed back an old favourite Shoreham to his stable with open arms
Flemington trainer Saab Hasan has welcomed back an old favourite to his stable with open arms.
Shoreham is set to line up for Hasan, who now shares in the ownership, in an 1800m benchmark 84 race at Flemington on Saturday, two years after leaving Melbourne.
It was at the corresponding meeting in 2015 that Shoreham had his last start for Hasan, finishing eighth in the Andrew Ramsden Stakes before exiting two days later for Gerald Ryan’s stable in Sydney.
After six starts for Ryan he headed further north to the Gold Coast where he had 10 starts for Les Kelly.
Once Hasan knew Shoreham was returning he shuffled horses around within his stable so the gelding could return to his old box and yard.
“He’s pretty much settled in to where he was,” Hasan said.
“He means a lot to us as he got us going to some degree.
“It’s great to have him back.”
Shoreham’s wins have all come under Hasan’s care, all at Flemington, and the trainer is hoping he will run well on Saturday with the 3kg claim for apprentice Brandon Stockdale.
The gelding returned to Flemington just over a week ago and Hasan said Kelly did a tremendous job with Shoreham who only needed some minor tinkering with his gear.
“I’ve changed his shoeing,” Hasan said.
“He’s a funny horse as when he goes the other way (right-handed) he can hit himself and I think he’s a better horse the Melbourne way.
“It might be a tad short for him the 1800 metres, but I think given his condition, the trip from the Gold Coast and the short turnaround, I do think it’s the perfect race for him.”
Hasan plans to try Shoreham over jumps after briefly giving him some experience when he was last in the stable.
“Even though we didn’t try him properly he’s got a nice little spring to his step,” Hasan said.
“After Saturday we’ll be looking to start hurdling him, get him in a hurdle trial and getting his ticket.”
