Big Hearted Boy Takes a Bow After Surprise Win

Wulguru trainer Tony Comerford will pack his bags for an overseas holiday a happy man after honest galloper Hell Of A Boy stormed to an upset win at Cluden Park on Friday 29 September.

Hell Of A Boy ($16) flew home with his lightweight of 52kg to nail Game Theory in the Lawrence and Hanson Open Hcp (1200m) and seal a winning double for apprentice Isabella Teh.

Comerford, who is heading off on a vacation to the UK in a fortnight, joined a big group of the gelding’s owners to celebrate the win in the winner’s circle.   

“His form seems to be better when he gets down in the weights. That’s Isabella’s fourth ride on him for two wins, a second and third so she hasn’t been out of the money on him,” Comerford said.

“It was a great run to finish second in the consolation for the Cleveland Bay on Cup Day. He wasn’t unlucky at all but just failed to get there.

“We backed him up and went to Bowen and I don’t think he backed up. Bowen doesn’t really suit him either because you have to take off early there and he likes to sit a bit longer and then run home.

“I just freshened him up for this and he’s been going good.

“He’s done a good job. He came to us with a maiden win and he’s now won seven for us, but we think he’s got to his limit and is more of an off season horse where it’s a bit easier. 

“He’ll possibly have another start and then most likely have a few weeks off. He doesn’t really handle the heat too well and we’ll just monitor him closely and see how we go.”

Teh, Cluden’s champion apprentice in the season just finished, also continued her strong association with the brilliant Roweiner’s Dance for a powerful first-up win in the Ladbrokes Yard Comments QTIS 3YO Hcp (1000m).

Starting a raging $1.14 favourite, Roweiner’s Dance recorded his seventh career win and Teh’s fourth victory from five rides on the gelding.

Heavy-weight jockey Ashley Butler was also in top form with a winning double on Phantom Spirit and Mista Omega, while Jason Taylor scored on Valenconi and Speed Legend for trainer Roy Chillemi.

Taylor, who bagged five winners on the big Cairns Cup Day last month, is enjoying a big year and predicted a bright future for former Victorian Speed Legend after he recorded his second win from three starts for Chillemi.

Meanwhile, Rockhampton jockey Dale Evans celebrated a return to the saddle after a four year break with victory aboard Prince Akeem for Townsville trainer Graham Hughes in the BM 65 Hcp (1609m).

Evans, from a well known racing family, is keen to pursue more winners in the North.

“It’s good to be back riding and I’m keen to keep coming up if the opportunities are there,” Evans said.

 “After I won the Alpha Cup in 2019 I decided I just needed to have a break. Each year when it was time to renew my license I just kept putting it off.

“Eventually, I decided this year it was time to get back into it and I’m pretty pleased to have a winner at my second meeting back.”

Evans’ celebration was tempered somewhat after incurring a suspension for careless riding on Unpunished in the Feed 2 Go Mdn Hcp (1200m).

But he produced a pearler of a ride to capitalise on a slow pace with a mid-race move and guide Prince Akeem to a strong win.

Pictured: Top apprentice Isabella Teh stretches Hell Of A Boy over the line take out the Lawrence & Hanson Open Hcp (1200m).

See the racing calendar for upcoming race days.