Change of tactics flagged for Hanwritten at Doomben
Lightly raced but promising Hanwritten will be ridden behind the pace at Doomben after showing he likes that style of racing in two barrier trials.
Hanwritten has been a work in progress for trainer Matthew Dunn who believes the gelding has untapped potential.
The now seven-year-old showed ability from his first start when he beat future Group race winner Ball Of Muscle in a maiden race at Newcastle in November, 2013.
He was sent to Hong Kong but did not race and was returned to Australia where Dunn took over his training.
Hanwritten will be having his 13th start for Dunn in Saturday’s Daniel Bullimore Handicap (1200m).
He has won four races for the Murwillumbah-based Dunn including a Benchmark race at Randwick.
Hanwritten hasn’t started since September but Dunn has given him barrier trials at Murwillumbah and Ballina to get ready for Saturday.
He won both beating the smart Perfect Dare in the first and the promising Snitz in the second.
“In both trials we rode him off the pace and let him run home,” Dunn said.
“He seemed to appreciate that way of racing so we will try it on Saturday.”
“I know Doomben is a real speed track where leaders can have an advantage but I think there are a couple who will go fast early and hopefully that will give us a chance to ride him from behind them.”
Dunn believes at his best Hanwritten can win several Brisbane races in coming months.
“He has had his issues. He didn’t race in Hong Kong for no reason. But we have taken him along slowly and hopefully we can start to see the benefits.”
It has been another good season for Dunn who has an overall 53-1/2 winners and is fourth on the metropolitan premiership with 23-1/2 winners.
Jeff Lloyd will ride Hanwritten after another South African-born jockey Chris Taylor rode him in the trials.
Taylor has been riding trackwork for Dunn and hopes to ride in Brisbane races soon.
“We got five yearlings at the Magic Millions sales and they are all lovely types I am already looking forward to next season,” he said.