Sagar primed to score hard-working Hutchison
BRUCE Hutchison doesn't train as many winners as most but his patrons tend to find them much more profitable.
I read that line somewhere and liked it. It seems an accurate appraisal of the man from Perth who is not a trainer to be underestimated.
His horses look exceptionally well turned out and he puts a lot more effort and thought into things than is generally realised. For instance, did you know that he'd been sending Acclaimed on the floats to and from Beas River to cure his aversion to travelling? Hutchison even came down with him to Happy Valley last Wednesday to make sure the horse travelled well and to enhance his chances of winning. In the end the horse blew the start but that is not the point.
This afternoon I'm very keen on Hutchison's Sagar (Nap) in the seventh event.
Hutchison has done really well with this import, training him to win the Governor's Cup last season. In fact, he's not stopped improving for Hutchison and ran a terrific race last time out when caught on the line by Sterling Town.
Given Sterling Town is a definite chance in the last, the harder section of this handicap, Sagar must go close in this division.
Sagar will also be better over the 1,800 metres compared to the mile he competed over last time out on which form he holds Icy Bet who, nevertheless, remains a quinella chance.
Put Jewellery Star in your quinellas now that Felix Coetzee climbs aboard. Tony P. H. Chan's Irish import is another improving sort who shapes as if this move up in distance is just what he wants to show his full potential.
