Hoffman chasing Ladies Bracelet glory

By Glenn Davis

As the only female trainer in the Ladies Bracelet, it would be a fitting result for Sharlee Hoffman if Hurricane Rosie is successful at Townsville on Tuesday.

A field of 12 is expected to line up in the 1300 metre Class 6 Handicap feature for fillies and mares.

Hurricane Rosie made a successful debut for Hoffman by flashing home for a dominant win in a 1609 metre Benchmark race at Townsville on June 16.

A four-year-old daughter of Toronado, Hurricane Rosie was bought online for $9,000.

She did all her previous racing with Gold Coast trainer Bevan Laming and won two of her 26 starts in the state’s South East and in Northern New South Wales.

The wins were at Ipswich in a 1666 metre maiden in January last year and a 2200 metre Class 1 Plate last September.

“I bought her online and she came to me in great order,” Hoffman said.

“She’s a beautiful quiet mare and she won convincingly over a mile in her first start for me.”

Hoffman had planned to start Hurricane Rosie at the last Townsville meeting before she developed a minor foot issue.

“I was going to start her at Townsville last week, but she developed a foot issue, so I backed off and decided to freshen her up for this," she said.

“She’s back to 1300 metres, but I think I’ve got her fresh enough to win as her foot issue is right now and she’s been doing a lot of swimming.”

Hoffman is still learning about Hurricane Rosie, but believes she has a bright future in North Queensland.

“I’m still learning about her and what is her best distance, but I think she’s definitely a winter carnival horse up this way,” she said.

“Whether it’s this year or next, we’ll just have to wait and see.”

Hoffman trains at Tolga on the Atherton Tablelands and has become a serious training force in Far North Queensland.

A mother of two boys, Hoffman hails from Macksville in NSW and has an agriculture degree in horse management.

“I got a degree in horse management and breeding when I attended college,” she said.

Lacey Morrison has retained the ride on Hurricane Rosie after winning on her at her previous start. 

“It would be nice to win the Bracelet being the only female trainer and it could be an omen, as she’ll be ridden by a female jockey, as well,” Hoffman said.