IT'S a bittersweet moment for Bathurst trainer Gayna Williams as one of her stable stars Healing Hands once again finds his way into the upcoming $500,000 Country Championships Final at Royal Randwick.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
On the one hand it's an exciting moment for Williams and connections as their sixth place finisher from last year gets another shot at the lucrative final, but on the other hand it's come at the cost of Central Districts Racing Association (CDRA) Country Championships heat winner Old Harbour.
Old Harbour was found to have sustained a tendon injury following a run at Hawkesbury on Tuesday.
Trainer Michael Mulholland then advised Racing NSW stewards Old Harbour would require veterinary treatment and a spell, taking him out of contention for the April 3 final.
Williams was informed on Wednesday that Healing Hands had gained a start in the Country Championships Final courtesy of being the third placed finisher in the CDRA heat.
It means Bathurst will have both Central Districts qualifier spots for the final, with Dean Mirfin's Hamogany claiming the other place.
Wednesday's news came as a shock to Williams, who was in the middle of making final preparations with Healing Hands to attend the Country Championship Wild Card race at Muswellbrook.
"I feel very sorry and disappointed for Michael Mulholland and [jockey] Katherine Pitomac and the team because it must be very disappointing to have to scratch their horse through injury
"To get him this far and then have to scratch him - I feel immensely for what they would be going through at the moment."
It's a lucky break for Williams considering she had plenty of doubts about whether the planned second-chance event at Muswellbrook would suit her gelding.
"I was concerned because it was over 1,280 metres," Williams said.
"He ran through the line well at Mudgee but I think the classiest heat is generally the wild card so now I'd have to say I'm feeling more confident now that he's gone straight through to the final, which is over the 1,400m.
"He's going to be much better suited over that distance, and especially at a big track like Randwick.
"It will be a classy field in the final, and it's never easy to win those sorts of races. You do need a bit of luck but I must say I'm feeling more confident about the final than I would have been about this weekend."
Healing Hands ran a fine race in last year's final where he struck bad luck.
He ran into a wall of horses across the final 400 metres and didn't find the gap or the room he needed to build up speed.
Healing Hands was only 1.3 lengths off winner Gracie Belle.
"You've got to get him rolling and give him plenty of galloping room with an uninterrupted run," Williams said.
"He's a leggy horse with a big stride. He doesn't let down as such, or quicken, he actually only lengthens in his stride and builds to the line."
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content:
- Bookmark www.westernadvocate.com.au
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
- Follow us on Google News