Hurst has power in numbers at Blayney

4 February 2023

TRAINER Nathan Hurst will head to Blayney from his nearby Eglington base with four runners this afternoon, three of which will contest the last race.

Hurst has been busy travelling north for the Carnival Of Cups meetings in the Hunter Valley and New England regions chasing both Maitland’s Inner City Pace Series and Tamworth’s Golden Guitar.

Now Hurst has set his sights closer to home at Blayney which will host the first of its two meetings today and the feature Carnival of Cups meeting next Sunday.

“We have definitely had a busy time of things over the past month,” said Hurst.

“My wife Ang originates from Maitland, so with their carnival being held over the Christmas-New Year period it is always a good time to be up there to catch up with her family and have runners go around at the race meetings.

“And the Tamworth Carnival has always been one that we aim for every year.

“Our team performed well and were lucky enough to pick up some cheques while we were campaigning up north, which justified making the trip.

“But it is good to be back home now.

“Since returning we have been having a fair run too.

“Our team has been more than competitive at Bathurst and at other western tracks and we are hoping that can continue today at Blayney.

“I really think Gabbys Reason, the mare I am driving in the last race, has a great chance of winning.

“She has the ideal draw in gate one and I will be looking to use that to my advantage.

“Blayney is a track where if you lead and can control the speed, it takes a good horse to run you down.”

Hurst’s other runners have drawn immediately to Gabbys Reason’s outside with Ang taking the reins behind Tulhurst Terror and Phoebe Betts to drive Tulhurst Writer.

Hurst’s other runner and drive comes up in Race 2, namely Getaloadacam, who has raced consistently in two seasons of racing but is still a maiden.

“I also feel Getaloadacam can go close to breaking through for a win,” said Hurst.

“He is an honest type, and it is only a matter of time before he sticks his head out in front.”

Next week’s program is certain to attract strong nominations with the feature race being the Billy Soo Memorial.