Rockhampton galloper Hell out to continue winning streak at Eagle Farm

Nick Walsh has grown a cult following with his horse Hell, who is aiming for a fifth straight win when he heads to Eagle Farm on Saturday.

Nick Walsh is feeling the weight of expectation that follows his cult horse Hell when he comes to town, but he wouldn’t have it any other way.

The young Rockhampton trainer has his stable star on a winning streak and has become a punters’ pal in a short period of time as he aims for his fifth consecutive win in the Class 6 Plate (1200m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

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Hell couldn’t win a maiden in Victoria before making his way to Walsh, where he could now head to the $1m The Archer next year on his home track and the trainer said it will be another case of catch me if you can again on Saturday from barrier one.

“He has a very high cruising speed and I feel as if he is better to roll along, he is deep into his prep, so he is extremely fit at the moment and I think we can use that to our advantage,” Walsh said.

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“He has drawn really well, the barrier won’t be worrying him, we are just hoping the track is playing fair and he will be good to go.

“This is his last run for a while, he will have three or four weeks off over Christmas.

“I’m pretty proud with what we have achieved with him.

“Everyone likes to get on the bandwagon with him when he comes to town, which we love to see, so it is at the stage where it would be disappointing to see him get beat if he does.

Hell is on a four-race winning run. Picture: Grant Peters/Trackside Photography

“I’ve had a horse win five straight, but they were just around Rocky and those places, it was a limited horse who was well placed.

“To be doing it on the metropolitan circuit shows he is a class horse.”

Walsh considered running Hell in the Group 3 George Moore Stakes after his last-start win in town, but said the scorching Queensland heat meant he needed extra time to get him ready for his final run of the preparation.

“We considered the George Moore a few weeks ago, but it was too soon, the weather has been stinking hot so we have elected to wait and come to this race instead,” he said.

“When we bring him back next year, we might try and map out a plan towards The Archer or something like that.”

Hell has been a well supported $3 favourite to continue on his winning ways at Eagle Farm on Saturday where apprentice Emily Lang will again take the ride.

Originally published as Rockhampton galloper Hell out to continue winning streak at Eagle Farm