Rockhampton Cup to solve Nunn's dilemma with Hype

By Glenn Davis

Former Tasmanian trainer Aiden Nunn is hopeful Hype can help solve a dilemma with a successful defence of his Rockhampton Cup crown at Callaghan Park on Saturday.

Nunn, who is a professional polo player, was based in Tasmania when Hype came north to claim both the Rockhampton and Mackay Cups last year.

The 37-year-old originally trained at Longford in Tasmania before transferring his licence to Queensland last year.

“I prefer to call Queensland home now as we were only in Tasmania from November to March and our two boys go to school at Beaudesert where we have our home,” Nunn said.

Nunn will decide after the Rockhampton Cup whether Hype will continue his Northern Queensland Winter Racing Carnival campaign or head back south for the Listed Grafton Cup over 2350 metres on July 17.

“If he wins the Rockhampton Cup again, I probably favour running him in the Grafton Cup,” Nunn said.

“He’s looking for 2000 metres now but whether he goes to Grafton or Mackay depends on how he goes.

“Whatever happens, he’ll come back home to Beaudesert after 'Rocky' just like we did with him after he won last year’s 'Rocky' Cup and then went back to Mackay.

“But, it’s a long way back up to Mackay so Grafton might be the better option if he goes well.”

Nunn is happy with Hype’s progress this campaign despite finishing near the tail of the field at his only two starts at Doomben this winter.

“He’s not far off where he was when he won the 'Rocky' Cup last year,” Nunn said.

“The data from his heart rate monitor shows he’s pretty close.

“He’s had two runs back this time in and both have been okay.

“He drew the outside alley first-up at Doomben but his closing sectionals were very good and he was slow away last start.”

Nunn revealed Hype was the victim of a virus after he returned home following his Mackay Cup triumph last August.

“After he won the Mackay Cup he returned home but we found out later he had a virus,” Nunn said.

“He ran ordinary in the Newmarket at Launceston, but he showed no signs of it until he failed badly in the (Listed) Conquering Stakes.

“He then ran an average race at Devonport, so I decided to tip him out.”

Nunn started playing polo when he was 14 after working for the Mackinnon family at Wickford.

“I worked for the MacKinnons for 10 years before they sent me away to ride in polo events,” he said.

“I used to do a lot of breaking-in horses and educating them for the MacKinnons and they’re part-owners in Hype.”