Heirborn targets North Queensland Cups

By Glenn Davis

Tolga trainer Sharlee Hoffman has an extra spring in her step up as she attempts to claim her first Townsville Cup with Heirborn.

Heirborn – a Stephen Wilson mount – takes his next step towards the $150,000 Townsville Cup on August 12 when the soon-to-be seven-year-old tackles the Winter Cup over 2000 metres at Cluden Park on Saturday.

Heirborn has been in Hoffman’s stables for just over a year and has won twice and placed on another six occasions from a dozen starts since moving from the David Vandyke stable at the Sunshine Coast.

“I got a phone call out of the blue from one of his owners, Peter Fulmer, asking if I’d train him,” Hoffman said.

“I had never trained a horse for Peter before but over time he’s gradually built up his numbers and I now train four for him.

“He's part of a great group of owners to train for.”

Heirborn started his career with Anthony Freedman in Victoria and won his first two starts before he was moved on to Vandyke in June, 2021.

The son of Charm Spirit is coming off a last start second to the Stephen Massingham-trained Armour Force in a 1609 metre Open Handicap at Townsville on July 21.

“He’s doing everything right and I’m aiming him for the Townsville Cup and the Cairns Amateur Cup and Cairns Cup,” Hoffman said.

“I’ve never won the Townsville Cup but I’ve run second twice in the Cairns Cup and Cairns Amateur Cup with Maquereau.

“I’m pretty excited about this horse and I can’t wait to step up him up to 2000 metres.

“He’s a big powerful horse and is very consistent.”

Hoffman believed the slow pace brought about Heirborn’s defeat last start.

“He’s more of a one pacer and wasn’t suited by the slow speed last run,” she said.

“Steve (Wilson) rides him in a lot of his work and knows the horse well.

“He rode him when he ran fourth three starts back and was to stay on but he fell off in track work one day so I had to change riders and put on Scott Sheargold for his next start when he finished third.

“This is his second run for me over 2000 metres. He won the Innisfail Cup over the distance in October last year and he won over 2030 metres at Doomben for David Vandyke two years ago.”

Hoffman believes the Winter Cup has attracted a strong field and believes there are many dangers.

“I’m really looking forward to running him over 2000 metres in the Townsville Cup,” she said.

“I don’t think there’s a lot around this year and you’ve got to be in it to win it.”