Tamworth trainer Zach Hatch’s second trip to the city was a much more enjoyable experience than his first.
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Two years after taking Kenny Succeed – who ran wide with no cover to finish 12 of 13 runners – to Randwick, Hatch was back in Sydney with Schappose in toe at Rosehill on Saturday.
While the gelding didn’t take home the winner’s cheque in the TAB Highway Handicap, Schappose continued to show promise with a fourth place finish.
“I was over the moon. He travelled down well and ran well. I couldn’t complain. He just ran into a couple good ones on the day,” Hatch said.
Schappose was just nosed out of the placings but race favourite Chewbacca while Handle The Truth and I Am Capitan finished first and second, respectively.
The four-year-old’s latest run comes after claiming two wins and two thirds since Schappose first raced for Hatch back in March.
Hatch is eyeing off a return trip to Sydney for his gelding.
“I’ll definitely be going back for another one [highway handicap],” Hatch said.
In the immediate future, Hatch will engage two runners at Tamworth Jockey Club’ s Melbourne Cup meeting on Tuesday.
First to go around will be Mr Intrepid in the Shay Brennan Constructions Maiden Plate.
Hatch broke the four-year-old in and has raced the gelding just once in April this year.
‘I’m just taking my time with him,” Hatch said.
“He’s going well enough to go good [on Tuesday]. He’s a good chance going off the way he’s been working.”
Gondoliera, one of Hatch’s newer horses, will race for the second time under Hatch in the Allsopp Signs Benchmark 50 Handicap.
Hatch was worked hard to get the mare race-ready.
“When she came to me I gave her a spell. She had a few problems. I had to have the chiro and the muscle man to look over her,” Hatch said. “Give her a couple more starts and she’ll be winning one.”
Hatch will be looking to continue a positive association with Melbourne Cup day in Tamworth as well.
“I’ve always gone for as long as I can remember as a little kid with dad and pop,” Hatch said.
“We’ve always had a bit of success on the day as well.
“It’s always a good day and a good crowd.”
Zach’s father, Mark, will also have a runner on the day with Northern Benny in the Rapid Clean Maiden Plate.