By Glenn Davis
Trainer Lindsay Hatch is hopeful of a big day out at Townsville on Sunday when the first runners from his new North Queensland satellite stable are saddled up at Cluden Park.
Hatch has teamed up with ownership group "Ares Racing" and will have six starters including Bondi Beau in the Townsville Amateur Sprint over 1200 metres.
Bondi Beau was formerly trained by Chris Attard but has been in the care of Hatch for two months since striking up the deal to train for Ares Racing.
“I had a winner for Ares Racing when Breakwater Boy won at Toowoomba last month and the first runners from our satellite stable will start this Sunday in Townsville,” Hatch said.
“I’ve got 42 horses in work at Toowoomba and another eight in Townsville.
“I’ll be sending more up there next year but not at the moment as it’s too hot this time of the year.”
Bondi Beau – a Michael Murphy mount – has drawn well in barrier three but hasn’t started since finishing third to the Georgie Holt-trained Let’s Go Bobby in a 1200 metre Open Handicap at Bowen on September 1.
The five-year-old previously won a Class 6 over 1200 metres at Mackay on August 23.
“He’s going super and will run a big race,” Hatch said.
“He’s a nice horse with a nice draw and his runs in North Queensland have been terrific.