Tolga trainer chasing return to big stage

By Glenn Davis

Trainer Sharlee Hoffman has been a minor player in recent editions of the Northern Queensland Winter Racing Carnival, but she’s hoping that could soon change.

The Tolga-based Hoffman burst onto the scene as a training force in Far North Queensland several years ago with her stable flagbearer at the time, Maquereau.

Maquereau won nine times for Hoffman including the Townsville Amateur Cup in 2021 and was a fancied runner in the Townsville Cup in 2022 before he finished sixth. 

A mother of two boys, Hoffman had 25 horses in work around that time before deciding to scale back her stable numbers.

“I had 25 in work a few years ago before I decided it was time to cut back,” Hoffman said.

“I’ve now got around 11 in work which gives me more time with the family.”

Hoffman is hopeful promising mare Bloomin’ Ripper and stablemate Sowilo Siren could put her back into the winter carnival spotlight in North Queensland later this year.

The pair will clash in the Open Handicap over 950 metres at Cairns on Friday.

Bloomin’ Ripper - a Rachel Shred mount - steps out for the second time this campaign after resuming with a game fifth to the Stephen Massingham-trained Lean Eagle in a 1000 metre Open Handicap at Townsville on April 30.

“I reckon she and Sowilo Siren are the two best horses I’ve got in the barn,” Hoffman said.

“I threw Bloomin’ Ripper in the deep and took her to Townsville first-up and she ran a great race in a cracker of a field.

“I think 950 metres is her best distance and I’ll just go race-to-race with her, but I’m hoping she’ll measure up to a race like the Lightning in Cairns.

“Both she and Sowilo Siren had good campaigns last year, so I’m excited to see what they’ll do this time in.”

Hoffman was given Bloomin’ Ripper to train after having one start for Sunshine Coast trainer Gary Duncan in May of 2023.

“I got her after her owner sent me Caressing Rupert to train,” Hoffman said.

“Duncan also trained Caressing Rupert and I won a few races with her, so her owners later sent Bloomin’ Ripper up to me to train, as well.”

Hoffman also expects Sowilo Siren to be competitive but has warned the gelding may need the run.

“Lacey Morrison is riding him, but he’s still a bit on the bigger side and may need the run fitness-wise,” Hoffman said.

“He’s been working well, so he should be competitive first-up.”

Sowilo Siren has won three of his last four starts and is coming off a dominant Class 6 Plate win over 950 metres at Cairns on December 4.