By Glenn Davis
Trainer Lindsay Hatch has decided to cut short his successful northern winter sojourn and is hopeful of continuing his winning form at Beaudesert on Tuesday.
Hatch has three runners engaged at Beaudesert and is confident Carlin Trend and Yuppie will both be highly competitive.
Experienced rider Brad Stewart will partner Carlin Trend in the Class 4 Handicap over 1650 metres and Yuppie in the Benchmark 58 Handicap over 1100 metre.
Stewart also will ride Hatch’s other starter Zipjak in the Maiden Plate over 1300 metres.
Carlin Trend is coming off a last start second in the St George Cup over 1600 metres on July 30.
“He’s had a lot of feet problems throughout his career and needed the run in the St George Cup,” Hatch said.
“He was taken on in front and was left a sitting duck.
“He’s improved since the run and will take a lot of beating at Beaudesert as will Yuppie, who should be very competitive.”
Yuppie broke through for his maiden win at Toowoomba on June 18 before being beaten three and a half lengths last start when sixth in a 0-62 ratings race at Toowoomba on July 16.
Hatch sent a team of five horses north for the central and northern winter carnivals before returning home with a Mackay Cup trophy from imported stayer Sayl.
He also claimed both the Rockhampton and Townsville Guineas with No Going Back.
“It was a successful trip and I gave a lot of thought to heading to the Cairns carnival,” Hatch said.
“But, in the end, it was probably a bit too taxing to continue.
“No Going Back has improved immensely after his two Guineas wins in Rocky and Townsville but I’ve decided to spell him.
“He’ll come back a very good four-year-old.”
Hatch is giving Sayl a short break and will set him for the $150,000 Toowoomba Cup over 2000 metres on September 24.
Sayl finished eighth to Master Jamie in the Rockhampton Cup in July and was an unlucky third to the Ricky Vale-trained Namazu in the Townsville Cup on August 6.
“I thought his Townsville Cup run was terrific and he was an unlucky not to win,” Hatch said.
