Important gear changes contributed to weekend wins for Hawkesbury trainers Chris Gleeson and Scott Singleton.
Gleeson scored at Goulburn on Friday with $51 bolter Princess Maher, and Singleton scored at Mudgee (Sunday) with Touched By Light.
Former leading harness racing trainer-driver Gleeson took both blinkers and a lugging bit off Princess Maher, who was having her first start for him and turned her form around in the Benchmark 55 Handicap (1400m).
The six-year-old mare also gave Hawkesbury apprentice Claire Nutman a welcome return to the winning list when she edged out Orrstar ($6) and Diamond Charlie ($5).
Princess Maher, previously prepared by Michael Vella, had tailed the field home in her first two runs since resuming, finishing 13th at Goulburn on March 10 and then ninth at Kembla Grange nine days later – beaten a total of 36 lengths.
Gleeson subsequently took over the mare’s training and ran her in a 1250m barrier trial at Hawkesbury on April 18. She finished third – albeit beaten clearly – behind established open company performers, yesterday’s Doomben winner Maurus and Bull Point.
Nutman bounced Princess Maher out smartly from an inside draw at Goulburn, and gave her the run of the race.
She ran on gamely down the running to post only the second win of her career. Her first was over 2006m at Bathurst in June last year.
Gleeson has a small string in work at Hawkesbury. He broke through with Dancing Magic at Nowra on New Year’s Eve and has had only a handful of starters since.
Like Gleeson, Singleton made a number of changes to Touched By Light prior to him lining up at Mudgee (Sunday).
He removed blinkers and a tongue control bit, and added an off side bubble cheeker and visor.
Relishing the soft track, Touched By Light (Grant Buckley) started $4 favorite in the Benchmark 55 Handicap (2000m) and made it two wins from his last three starts.
The Darci Brahma four-year-old had scored over 2000m at Canberra on April 8
(also on soft ground) before finishing fourth to Ascot Red over 2400m at Kembla Grange on April 23.
Buckley today gave Touched By Light plenty of time to settle, then began a searching run on him before the home turn.
He swept up wide on the track, hit the front after straightening and powered away over the closing stages to score by four lengths from Also A Star ($10) and Wollartant $4.60).
– Hawkesbury Race Club
