Hughes Hopes Spirit Is Back to Giving Best

Veteran Townsville galloper Spirit Of Giving is a wily old trickster according to his trainer Graham Hughes.

The eight-year-old gelding has won just three races in his 53 starts career, but has racked up 14 seconds, earning him a reputation as something of a perennial bridesmaid.

But riding tactics to out-kid the old boy paid dividends when Spirit Of Giving ended an 18 month winning drought at Cluden Park earlier this month.

And his trainer Graham Hughes is hoping the son of Bel Esprit has a taste for winning again when he tackles the Ladbrokes BM60 Hcp (1200m) at Cluden on Friday.

Hughes gave credit for the return to winning form to jockey Sean Cormack who knew Spirit Of Giving’s tricks from earlier rides on the gelding in the south-east of the State.

“Sean I think had ridden him before and knew him a bit and he said you can only ride him one way, to hold him up until the very last bit and time your run so he can’t change his mind. That’s what he did and he got the win.” Hughes said.

“I said he likes to find a way to get beaten but he found his way through and got up, only just. I give Sean credit for that.

“He is a real trickster. He’s had races won but found a way to get beaten.

“But he hasn’t been a bad money spinner all the same.

“Sean’s on him again on Friday and hopefully he can go on with it but he hasn’t drawn the best in  barrier eight with the rail out eight metres.”

Hughes is also worried about wide draws for stablemates Burraneer Boy and Prince Akeem who have barriers nine and 11 respectively in the same race.

He expects Spirit Of Giving and Burraneer Boy to both run well and is happy with the way Prince Akeem has come up after an eight month spell.

“They’ve all got tricky draws and will need luck to go their way but I think they’ve got each way chances,” Hughes said.

“At his last start Burraneer Boy had a bit of trouble in the Cairns Newmarket but was way above his grade in that race.

“He drops in class and he’s a chance.

“The start before he did everything perfectly and scored a good win for us in Cairns.

“We’re still working him out. I’ve only had him for three starts and been trying to keep him fresh and feeling well.”

Hughes will also saddle up Lady Rain in the Open Hcp (1000m) and Let’s Ride in the Hygain C2 Plate (1200m). 

Let’s Ride is coming off a strong third to Dark Gleam at Cluden on September 2.

Friday’s eight-race card kicks off with the Ladbrokes Mdn Plate (1609m) at 1.07pm.