Popular Newcastle trainer Steve Hodge won his first race in more than a year on the Newcastle track when the Hong Kong owned Bourbon Flyer a $21 outsider powered home from last 200 metres from home in the 900 metre Davali Thoroughbreds Class 1 Handicap at the Newcastle Jockey Club on Thursday. It was Bourbon Flyers third start for Hodge after failing to win a race in eight starts when trained in Hong Kong.
The 6 year old won a barrier trial on the Beaumont track on June 28 before an impressive first up performance when beaten 2 lengths at Newcatsle on July 13. However, he disappointed second up at Newcastle on August 3 when he finished last 16 lengths from the winner. The gelding did not pull up well in the 1200 metre event so Hodge freshened him up and brought him back to the 900 metre event on Thursday.
Scone based apprentice Cobi Vitler who claims 3 kilograms rode the horse on Thursday and followed Hodges instructions to ride Bourbon Flyer cold and give him plenty of room in the straight. Hodge is confident that Bourbon Flyer can win again and will look for a suitable provincial race in the future. “His benchmark is too high for country racing so I will find a suitable provincial race. He won a race on the Kensington track in February 2021 before going to Hong Kong” Hodge said.
The trainer has won 247 races since 1986 when he won his first race with Sailing Solo at Wyong when ridden by Robert Thompson. Prior to gaining a training license Hodge was foreman and rode trackwork for the late Newcatsle Hunter Hall Of Fame trainer Roy Hinton for 10 years. He rode 1976 Group 1 Stradbroke winner Manawapoi in work for Hinton who won eight Newcastle Premierships.
In the past seven years Hodge has leased the Broadmeadow Racecourse Equine Pool form the Newcastle jockey Club. He only has five horses in work with Bourbon Flyer the only one racing at present.
Inferencia was another double figure winner trained on the Newcastle Racecourse. Williamtown based Rebecca Dunn bred, owns and trains the 5 year old mare which was a $14 chance in the final event the 1600m The Prince Of Merewether Provincial Benchmark 64 Handicap. Inferencia had solid form going into the race as she was an easy winner at Tamworth on June 28 and last start the mare was placed in a Benchmark 68 at Newcastle. Digger McLellan had the mount as she stepped up to 1600 metres for the first time and after a fast start she enjoyed a nice trail in fourth place in a race with the speed on. McLellan let her race up to join the leaders at the top of the straight and she hit the front from the 250 and was ridden out to hold on for a narrow win. “We couldn’t wait to get this mare to a mile but there were times she was missing runs and we had to start again. Bec is a lovely girl and is great with the horses” McLellan said. Inferencia has won four races and prize money of $81,900.
Kris Lees was on track to see his 7 year old French Marine break a long running drought to win the 1200 metre Rarity Wholesale Benchmark 64 Handicap. Lees is a part owner of French Marine which carries the colours of the trainers 3 time Group 1 winner Le Romain. The gelding had not won since December 2022 but he but he has been a good money spinner with six wins and $262,000 in prize money.
In form apprentice Zac Wadick rode the winner and it was his second winner for the day after steering the Mare Chevalier trained Brooklyn Dash to victory earlier in the day. The track was heavy but safe after 22 millimeters of rain the previous day and night and it is standing up well despite the heavy work load.