Nathan Hurst will have three veteran horses racing at Bathurst on Wednesday night, with all three combining for over 400 career starts.
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Tulhurst Ace, Itsallaboutlu and Spanish Lustre have have all amassed a staggering 414 starts, with Spanish Lustre having the most starts with 172.
However, it is Tulhurst Ace with the most career money earned – $103,170 – which will be Hurst’s first runner of the night.
He will start from gate six in the front row, with $12 odds, in the Oberon Night 19th January Pace (1730 metres).
It will be the six-year-old bay horse’s first start since October 14, where he finished seventh at Menangle.
“He just hasn’t raced in a bit but he’s been running pretty well. He’ll need speed,” he said.
“He’s had a fresher. He didn’t have many spells as a young horse.
“He’s a honest horse. He should do alright.”
Tulhurst Ace has previously started 93 races, for 14 wins, 22 seconds and 12 thirds.
Elsewhere, Itsallaboutlu will be the only started from the second row in the Memorial Night 24th January Pace (1730 metres).
The eight-year-old bay gelding will start with a $3000 claim price and with betting odds of $14, with Hurst also in the gig for the pacer.
Hurst was pleased with the draw.
“It’s not a bad draw,” he said.
“He’s a tough horse and he prefers a good pace. If it is genuine, he’ll be up there.”
It will be a mile stone race for Istallaboutlu, his 150th.
Throughout his 149-race career, the gelding has collected 15 wins, 20 seconds and 16 thirds.
Not since August 31 at Tamworth has Istallaboutlu won a race.
Hurst will not be in the gig for his final pacer on the night, Spanish Lustre, with Angela Hedges set to drive New Zealand chestnut gelding.
It has been a slightly unlucky career, with the eight-year-old only win nine times from his 172-race career but he has finished second on 30 occasions and third 22 times.
He may finally hit double figures, in terms of career wins, when he lines up for the Lexus of Dubbo Pace (1730 metres).
“He’s not to far away. He’s an honest horse and he’s really easy to train,” Hurst said.
“He’s draw a bit wide [front row, gate eight] but it wouldn’t surprise me if he ran a place.
“He’ll come towards the end of his career when he’s not racing he’s best anymore. When that happens we’ll find a nice home for him.”
The six race meeting at the Bathurst Paceway will start at 6.04pm, with the last race at 8.43pm.
