Hazel Park Racing enjoyed a memorable day at Wagga with trainer Donna Scott producing two winners, highlighted by a dominant stable quinella in the $150,000 SDRA Country Championships Qualifier.
The day began in perfect fashion when Just Hear Me Out broke his maiden over 1400 metres. Partnered by regular jockey Blaike McDougall, the 3yo showed determination to secure his first career victory and provide the stable with an early highlight.
Scott’s success continued in the feature event of the afternoon, the Country Championships Qualifier, a race restricted to country-trained horses with the first two placegetters earning a coveted spot in the lucrative final at Royal Randwick during The Championships.
The Hazel Park stable delivered a remarkable result, finishing first and second, with Villasaurus narrowly defeating stablemate Bon Holler in a thrilling finish. The pair held off the heavily supported favourite Autumn Break, trained by Kym Davison, to secure their places in the final.
Ridden by Blaike McDougall, Villasaurus produced a strong run in the straight to grab Bon Holler right on the line, completing a memorable quinella for the Scott yard.
Scott said she arrived at Wagga confident her horses were well prepared for the target race.
“I plan this race 12 months in advance each year and prepare my horses accordingly.”
The result continues Scott’s outstanding record in the Country Championships series, with the Albury trainer now having qualified seven horses for the final since the inception of the incentive.
With Villasaurus and Bon Holler now safely through to the Country Championships Final at Randwick, the stable will look to continue its strong form when competing for $500,000 in prizemoney on one of Australian racing’s biggest stages.
images: Trackpix