Trainer Saab Hasan hopes the victory of Sirius Suspect at Flemington will prove the best advertisement in attracting more horses to his stable.
Concerned Sirius Suspect may have been underdone after missing a gallop during the week, Hasan was overjoyed with the all-the-way win in Saturday’s Flemington Event Staff Handicap.
Ridden by Brad Rawiller, Sirius Suspect, the $4.60 favourite, scored by 1-1/4 lengths from I’m Telling Ya ($6) with Sheriff John Stone ($13) 1-1/2 lengths away third.
Hasan has 12 horses in his yard and says following the retirement of Shoreham has found it difficult getting new horses while at that same stage a virus also went through the stable.
“You talk to syndicators and owners and ask ‘why won’t you give me a go’ and they say ‘you’ve only had one good horse’,” Hasan said.
“It’s hard to get another good horse if they won’t give you the opportunity.”
Hasan said he approached Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock’s Darren Dance as the trainer’s bills started to mount.
He said Dance promised him a horse and true to his word sent Sirius Suspect following the disqualification of the gelding’s previous trainer Darren Weir.
“He said I’ll send you a nice horse, just leave it with me,” Hasan said.
“Darren has owned plenty of bigger winners than this, but this has really helped me out.
“I agist a few horses at his place and fell behind in the bills, but Darren said ‘don’t worry, we’ll work it out’.”
Hasan thanked the work of his staff and farrier in getting Sirius Suspect over a quartercrack to a hoof that prevented Sirius Suspect from a gallop in the lead-up to Saturday’s victory.
