Grey mare blitzes rivals in 1200m debut

For hobby trainers such as Alex Hurley, harness racing results like Spun Silver (Follow The Stars) produced last week are truly special.

The striking grey mare bounced back from a serious injury setback in February last year to stun her rivals during night one of the TAB FastTrack 1200 series at Melton.

While the plan was to go back upon release, driver Josh Duggan decided to roll forward with Spun Silver given her strong start and the lack of speed to the inside. And it proved an inspired move as the daughter of Follow The Stars never gave her rivals a chance on her way to a 12.4m maiden triumph.

It was Spun Silver’s first placing at career start 10 and justified Hurley’s belief that she had more ability than her form suggested.

“Two days after her last race I came out and she couldn’t walk in her paddock,” Hurley recalled.

“She had a stress fracture in her pelvis and that means they have to have six weeks in a box. We gave her eight weeks in a box, eight weeks in a small yard, eight weeks in a small paddock and then eight months in the big paddock.

“She trialled really well at Bacchus Marsh. I know she ran last, but it was a really good trial and she was bolting at the back of them.

“I thought she would go alright. I was happy to put her in a 1200m race because I thought that if her fitness gives out, it’s going to give out a lot closer to the end than it would in a 2200m race.

“I wasn’t expecting her to go as well as she did, but I have always thought that she was better than she showed us last time in.”

Hurley, who owns the horse in a partnership that includes her sister Fran, husband Paul, daughter Amelia and friends Peter Lewis and Vittoria Carli, is hopeful rather than confident in Spun Silver’s chances back over the 1200m tonight.

She has gate five in the second event on the Melton card, which is for horses rated up to 50.

“It’s going to be a lot harder than it was last week and I’ve never had a horse that’s won two races in-a-row, so I’m not all that confident,” Hurley said.

“She worked beautifully during the week, so she’s come through the run as well as we could have hoped.

“It’s a step-up in class and we will see what happens, but if she gets a bit of luck at the start and performs like she did last week then she will be competitive.”

Night two of TAB’s FastTrack series received more than 70 nominations to see six 1200m races programmed at Melton.

The first goes at 5.28pm, with all the coverage on Sky Racing, TrotsVision.com.au, RSN927 and SENTrack.

Reinswomen Ellen Tormey, Kate Gath, Annalise Scott, Jodi Quinlan and Rory Coverdale will all sport specially designed Australian silks – sponsored by Hyland Sportswear – at different times during the 11-race card from headquarters in support of the Matildas.

For complete race results, click here.

by Tim O’Connor, for Harness Racing Victoria