GREYHOUNDS
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EL Sportsmans will be chasing his second win in the space of a week at Tamworth tomorrow when he jumps in the Northern Daily Leader Stakes.
On New Year’s Day the black dog was in the money for the sixth successive race taking out the New England Mutual Stakes (340m).
It was an impressive run with El Sportmans finishing five-and-a-half lengths clear of Tamam Shud (Benjamin Vidler).
Hamish Abra trains and owns El Sportsmans. He got him from fellow Bingara trainer, David Rose, who passed away last year.
“He’s just had great form ever since,” Abra said.
“He’s had six starts and been in the money ever since.”
He’s gone first, second, first, second, third, first.
With that form Abra was surprised he was only third favourite behind My Son John and Rebel Rumble – the best-placed of which was Rebel Rumble in third.
“I knew he couldn’t get run down if he jumped,” Abra said.
He did, and from the moment he hit the front never looked like being
beaten.
Abra owes a lot to Rose. He was the one that ignited his training career.
“He talked me into getting a licence when he was sick,” he said.
“He wanted me to help him out.”
“I wanted to learn from him and Mick Keelan.”
Abra also now has Sportsmans Lyn and Sportsmans Kev.
Wednesday’s win was El Sportsmans 32nd in 90 starts.
Abra isn’t setting him for anything. He’s just taking it week by week.
The first race today is at 1.30pm.