Hatch’s delight to close out night season

LINDSAY Hatch takes out the Clifford Park premiership in style, partnering with Justin Stanley for four winners.

Motomiss and jockey Justin Stanley win race one at Clifford Park. Picture: Kevin Farmer

RACING: Lindsay Hatch had a night to remember as he put the finishing touches on a dream 2019/20 season at Clifford Park.

The final meet of the racing year in Toowoomba saw Hatch crowned as the premiership-winning trainer, and he celebrated by training half of the eight-race card.

Hatch and jockey Justin Stanley looked to have a stranglehold on the meeting, but was pleased to watch it all come to fruition.

“It’s the second time I’ve done it. I’ve trained four before, but this had more significance,” he said.

“To have my family there watching, and to win the premiership is a great achievement.

“I’ve had quite a few Saturday mornings where I thought things looked good, but the luck shines upon you.”

The program started with talented filly Motomiss ($2.20 fav) resuming from a spell in the Joe Wagner Group Class 2 Handicap (1000m).

The rising four-year-old was able to settle behind a hot speed set by Hautclere ($2.80), before pouncing in the straight to score eased down by 1 ¾ lengths.

“She’s come back in terrific form. She was difficult to train as a young horse but has untapped potential,” Hatch said.

“(Last preparation) to go from a maiden to her second win with 60kg, (jockey) Andrew Mallyon got off her and seems to think she’s the real deal.”

Strip It Down justified the $1.45 tag to make it two wins from three starts in the Hygain Benchmark 62 Handicap (1650m).

The rising five-year-old made her debut in June for Hatch after three unplaced trials in 2017 and 2018 in Western Australia.

The mare was able to lead up the small field over the mile, holding Louie La’joy ($10) by a length, with a further 8 ¾ lengths back to third.

“She’s done a great job. She came to me with a lot of problems,” he said.

“It’s a good opportunity to train her. She’ll head to the paddock now and I’m pretty sure she’ll develop into a very nice five-year-old, especially over a staying trip.”

While Hatch’s first two winners for the night were painless watches, the next pair had him on the edge of his seat.

My Belly Button ($3.60) was a notable drifter in the market with support coming for Bryan ($1.90 fav) in the Audi Centre Toowoomba Benchmark 75 Handicap (1300m).

The Hatch-trained gelding took up the running, fending off a charge from Naval Strike ($7) early in the straight, before Conquermore ($5) made a dive on the line, only to fall short by a nose.

“I thought live he got beat, but I looked at the replay and was pretty confident we’d get the photo,” he said.

“He’s been outstanding for the stable and has continued to improve. Every time I’ve given him a break he’s come back better.”

The night finished in style for Hatch and Stanley, with the pair combining for their fourth winner of the night with the success of Octavian ($1.75 fav) in the TAB Class 2 Plate (1880m).

As the leaders compounded, Octavian looked to have the race at his mercy with less than a furlong to go, before Ultimate Power ($3.80) lifted off the canvas to take the lead again inside the concluding stages.

Octavian put his head down right on the finishing line, to nose out the second favourite.

“Again, I thought he got beat. When the luck shines, it can go your way,” Hatch said.

“No doubt he’ll get over a trip, and he’s been a good acquisition for the stable.”

2019/20 PREMIERSHIP WINNERS

Trainer: Linsday Hatch (39 winners), Mark Currie (31), Tony and Maddysen Sears (24), Michael Nolan (19), Matt Boland (16), Kevin Kemp (13), Matt Kropp (12), Paul Nolan (Jnr) (8), Tony Gollan (7), Dale Groves (6), Brett Cavanough (6)

Jockey: Josh Oliver (40 winners), Emma Ljung (26), Kenji Yoshida (17), Michael Cahill (13), Alex Patis (12), Madeleine Wishart (12), Brad Stewart (11), Skye Bogenhuber (11), Nick Keal (11), Andrew Mallyon (11)

Horse: Simply Splashing (4 wins), Factory Warrior (3), Commander Sara (3), My Belly Button (3), Colpo Di Tamburo (3), Bestie (3), Evamac (3), Miss Silky (3), Octavian (3), Inching Closer (3), Pieridae (3), Motomiss (3), For My Annie (3)

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