Tracy pulls the trigger for more racing

By Jordan Gerrans

Tracy Trigg has focused her attention on breeding and rearing chasers more so in recent times, but she returned to the training ranks in style on Sunday evening.

Trigg and her husband Nathan run a sizeable breeding operation out of Bundaberg and mostly send their chasers to Atkinsons Dam conditioner Sandra Hunt to compete at The Q.

The combination has been a prolific one over the years as Kahlo Hayze, Mustang Hayze and Tomahawk Hayze all won well over $100,000 in career stakes.

Tracy Trigg has been away from day-to-day training and racing since the back end of 2024 before taking two chasers to Callaghan Park in Rockhampton on Sunday night.

Vanzant Hayze put in a strong performance to score over 407 metres in a master's fifth-grade event while kennelmate Shevchenko Hayze ran into third over the same trip later in the program. 

In her first look at the Rockhampton track, Vanzant Hayze commenced well from the eight alley and took over the race just before the final turn to score in 23.80 seconds.

Trigg, who is based at Qunaba, was chuffed to land a winner with her first starter back in around 18 months.

“I do a bit with our pups while Nathan works away at times,” Trigg said.

“Obviously we focus more on the breeding, rearing and pre-training side.

“We just thought we'd bring Shevchenko Hayze and Vanzant Hayze home.

“The idea was to give them a bit of a go over the short distance over a couple of turns instead of racing in Brisbane.

“Hopefully we can get their confidence up a little bit. 

"It was a good, we're happy.”

Trigg’s last victory in her name as a trainer was with Hollow Hayze at Albion Park on a Monday in October of 2024.

Vanzant Hayze is a daughter of Merlot Hayze who the Triggs owned and raced.

Vanzant Hayze, who is a black bitch, put together her best form in South East Queensland at the old Albion Park where she raced over the shorter 395 metre journey and won on four occasions to go with two more minor placings.

She won a couple down the Q Straight but did not make an impact on the Q1 Lakeside facility in five attempts.

As well as their breeding and rearing pursuits, the Triggs will continue to race Shevchenko Hayze and Vanzant Hayze over the coming weeks as well as three others that are at the trialing stage.

The Triggs are keen to dip their toes back into training in their home region but will continue their long-standing fruitful association with top trainer Hunt.

Over the last week, Hunt has prepared Mustang Hayze to win at Q2 Parklands and Shamrock Hayze to place at Q1 Lakeside for the Bundaberg-based owners and breeders.

“Sandra's done really well with all that dogs there,” Nathan Trigg said.

“Sandra's done a brilliant job and we've got a great relationship with Sandra.

“The way we're working together, she does great things for us.”