By Glenn Davis
Team Hulbert is hoping the dominos fall the right way as the stable bids for its first city double at Doomben on Saturday.
Peter Hulbert, who trains in partnership with son Will, has trained provincials doubles in the past when he trained solo but never at a city metropolitan meeting.
The veteran trainer gets his chance to accomplish the feat with his son when the pair saddle up Oh Five Glory in the QTIS Three-Year-Old Handicap (1200m) and Moonshine Lady in the Class Six Handicap (1200m).
Team Hulbert is also confident the returning Wirnpa will be highly competitive when the gelding resumes in the Benchmark 72 Handicap (1050m).
“We’d like to think all three will be very hard to beat but we don’t want to get ahead of ourselves,” Hulbert said.
“I’ve had a double with Will at Ipswich not long ago but I’ve never had a city double since I started training in the 70’s.”
Hulbert has booked stable apprentice Adin Thomson to partner Oh Five Glory and Moonshine Lady while three-kilo apprentice Madeline Wishart rides Wirnpa, who hasn’t raced since winning a Class Five at the Sunshine Coast last October.
Oh Five Glory has been the stable flagbearer since she was the best Queensland finisher when fifth to Exhilarates in last year’s Magic Millions Classic at the Gold Coast.
She subsequently has placed twice at Stakes level and her current form has been first class with a win and two placings from her past three starts.
At her latest run, Oh Five Glory finished third to the Kelly Schweida-trained The Odyssey in the Three-Year-Old QTIS Jewel at the Gold Coast on March 14.
“Her last run was outstanding as she had to do too much work early on and it was her first go on a wet track,” Hulbert said.
“The handicappers haven’t missed her with 60kgs but I suppose she’s entitled to it as she’s has won more than $300,000 in prizemoney.
“She worked with Moonshine Lady this week and on their work, both will be hard to beat.
“I’m also expecting Wirnpa to race well as he won a trial recently and goes well fresh.”
Moonshine Lady is unbeaten in three starts for Hulbert since transferring from NSW trainer Richard Butler last year.
The daughter of little-known American sire The Factor has won all three starts on rain-affected tracks including her all the way win over 1200 metres on a heavy track at the Gold Coast on March 14.
“She’s flying and she’s got a very high cruising speed,” Hulbert said.
“To accelerate off a high speed like she did last start says a lot about her ability.
“She’s a powerhouse mare and we’re just going to take her through her classes for the time being.
“Although all her wins for us have been on wet tracks don’t let a dry track on Saturday put you off.”
Racing Queensland webnews April 1