Top Atherton Combo Looking for More Success at Cluden

Atherton’s dynamic duo Sharlee Hoffman and Lacey Morrison have become one of the most lethal combinations in northern racing and will be looking to keep the winning run rolling with three strong chances at Cluden Park tomorrow.

Hoffman and Morrison are leading the respective trainers and jockeys premierships at Cluden with a winning strike rate this season of almost 26%.

The combination’s success has also elevated Hoffman to second in the Cairns premiership and Morrison to the top of the table there.

“We work very hard and I think we deserve to be there,” Hoffman said.

“I work from morning to night. It hardly stops and it’s a nice feeling to know it pays off.

“We race right around the north, but Mackay’s a bit too far off from where we are.

“Our horses go really well at Townsville. We always seem to jag a winner.

“To be up in the premiership ranks with a trainer as good as Roy Chillemi (16 time Townsville premiership winner) is pretty good.

“Lacey is fantastic. We make a good team. Riding work she knows the horses and she’s a real competitor.”

Hoffman gives her three runners good chances but admits the consistent Narda Shar will have his work cut out to beat the brilliant and popular Paniagua in the Townsville Yacht Club Open Hcp (1400m).

Narda Shar will carry 54kg against the classy Paniagua who will lump 61kg with Rachel Shred’s 3kg claim.

“The only way we can beat him is with luck and the big pull in the weights,” Hoffman said.

“But even to run second to him I’ll be happy.”

Hoffman said she will be keen to see Mister Magnusifent run well after a string of injuries in the TAB Long May We Play Cl3 Plate (1300M) and be looking for good progress with newcomer Prophetess in the Trackside Photography 3yo Hcp .

“Mister Magnusifent has done really well since his first-up run in Cairns and I’m hoping he can come back something like his best,” Hoffman said.

“He’s had had a lot go wrong with him. He had a strained tendon and a lot of foot problems and just didn’t come up last prep. 

“Prophetess had one start in Atherton and then got an infection and that’s the reason for the space between runs.

“It’s not a strong race and I’ll be wanting to see her finishing off well.”

The seven-event Cluden card kicks off with the Hygain 2YO Hcp (1000m) at 1.42pm and winds up with the Mitavite Cl2 Hcp (1000m) at 5.27pm.