Text’n Hurley will return to the races in the Allan Wicks Handicap over 1200 metres at Caulfield on Thursday but trainer Colin Little has revealed that he will be looking to step the talented mare up in distance this campaign.
Text'n Hurley has been well backed to return to the winners stall in the Allan Wicks Handicap at Caulfield on Boxing Day. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Text’n Hurley has never previously raced over 1600 metres in her six career starts but Little believes that the Hard Spun mare has the stamina and staying ability to be competitive over 2000 metres.
The four-year-old was completely outpaced when finishing 12th behind Commanding Jewel in the Group 2 Let’s Elope Stakes (1400m) at Flemington during the 2013 Spring Racing Carnival and Little told AAP that he is hopeful that a step up in trip will help her settle better during her races.
“You wouldn’t think 1200 metres would be her cup of tea and she might even get right out to 2000 metres,” Little said.
“We rolled the dice and gave her a last run in that race but it was coming back from 1600 metres to 1400 metres.
“They ran her off her feet at Flemington and they just went too quickly for her.”
Little gave Text’n Hurley a barrier trial over 1000 metres at Pakenham on December 9, finishing fourth behind Valid Contract in a five horse field, but said that the four-year-old was not given a serious hit out on what was a very heavy track.
“She cantered around because we didn’t want to risk her on the heavy track,” Little said.
“She’s come on well since then but she’s looking for a lot more ground.”
Text’n Hurley made her racing debut with a second place finish behind Lonhtime at Bendigo and was well beaten at her second start before recording a dominant fourth and a half lengths win in the Bendigo RSL Plate (1400m) on July 10.
She made her metropolitan racing debut with a comfortable victory over Kukla and Danestroem in the Richard Hogg Handicap (1400m) at Caulfield on July 27 and made it three wins in a row with a narrow triumph over Bia Diamond and Imoto in the RSL Handicap (1600m) at the same venue three weeks later.
Despite Little’s concerns about the trip, Text’n Hurley ($3.50) is currently rated a clear favourite in Allan Wicks Handicap betting markets from Danestroem ($4.20), Mango Mojito ($5.50) and Counted ($9).
