James Innes is chasing a third straight win on Hogmanay
Apprentice jockey James Innes and the Chris Waller-trained Hogmanay have developed a good understanding.
At Warwick Farm on Saturday the pair team up again in the TAB Handicap, chasing a third straight win.
After victories at Rosehill in December and again last month, Waller has credited Innes with turning around the fortunes of Hogmany.
“He’s a good young rider,” Waller said.
“He’s been very decisive with his two rides and he’s come out of it with two good wins.
“Hogmanay is creeping up in the weights a little bit but he’s got a nice soft draw and will be hard to beat again.”
Innes has a two-win lead in the junior premiership over Andrew Adkins and Deanne Panya.
Waller gave Hogmanay a barrier trial at Rosehill last Friday to keep him ticking over and is happy with how the horse is going into Saturday’s 1400m-race.
Stablemate Invinzabeel is shooting for three straight wins, but whereas Hogmanay has been racing through the late spring and early summer, Invinzabeel is returning from a break.
Invinzabeel was successful at Rosehill in September before another victory at Randwick the following month and is now ready for his racing return in the #Theraces Sprint on Saturday.
Waller said he was toying with the idea of running the gelding first-up over 1400m but settled on Saturday’s race over 1200m as Invinzabeel was keen when third in a Rosehill trial on December 30.
The leading trainer said Invinzabeel, to be ridden by Hugh Bowman, had developed into quite a handy horse.
“He doesn’t like wet tracks and on good tracks his form has been very good,” Waller said.
“He had about 10 days off after his last win, has had a trial and he’s ready to go.
“The 1200 metres is my only query. It’s a bit short for him but he’s got a good draw, it’s a big field so that creates a bit of pressure and Hugh Bowman rides.”
Waller said there are no long term plans for the pair and is happy for them to keep progressing through Saturday grade.
“Saturday prize money is very good now,” he said.
“They’re not easy to win but they’re worth winning.
“When we run out of them then we’ll have a think about something else.”
