Hannah Gregory to lead Brisbane Archibald charge

By Glenn Davis

Hannah Gregory has been appointed to lead the Annabel and Rob Archibald training partnership in Queensland. 

She is hoping for an early stakes victory since taking charge last week when Manhood tackles the Goldmarket at the Gold Coast on Friday.

Manhood will be ridden by Irishman Martin Harley in the 1100 metre Listed feature at the twilight meeting.

The Yorkshire-born Gregory arrived in Australia last June after a near four-year term working as assistant to trainer Richard Phillips in England.

The 33-year-old Gregory was also an amateur rider before joining Phillips.

Gregory has taken over from Kiwi Todd Pollard, who was the stable’s Brisbane boss for four years, before deciding to launch his own training career based at Eagle Farm.

Pollard expects to have his first starters next month.

“I started in Sydney with Annabel and Rob when I arrived in Australia last June,” Gregory said.

“I came to Brisbane to cover for Todd for a few weeks when he went on holidays with a view of taking over once he was ready to start training himself.

“I moved permanently to Brisbane last August and we’ve got 23 horses in the stables now after we sent a few out to spell following Magic Millions.”

Gregory is not underestimating the task ahead for Manhood who hasn’t raced since beating one home in the Listed Falvelon at Eagle Farm on December 27.

The defeat hasn’t fazed Gregory who is confident the seven-year-old will be competitive.

“He’s had a beach freshener and the Falvelon was a very competitive field,” Gregory said.

“He’s a very capable horse and he’s happy and well.

“I think he’s definitely got a good chance in the Goldmarket and he won’t mind if we get a bit of rain. His work last Saturday was very pleasing.”

While Manhood was outclassed in the Listed Falvelon, his statistics over 1100 metres are strong as too is his Gold Coast record.

Manhood is a three-time winner from five starts over 1100 metres and has won three of his four starts at the Gold Coast track.

He’s had 11 starts on soft tracks for three wins and as many placings.

A son of Headwater, Manhood showed he was a class sprinter during the Queensland Racing Carnival last year by winning the Listed Chief De Beers over 1110 metres.

However, Manhood’s stamina has made him hard to place in races which is why his record has been restricted to just 35 starts for nine wins and 12 placings.