Group 1 winning trainer Tom Rees feels the need…the need for speed.
Which is why bold front running types, History’s Coming and Hurricane Reign, have been spotted going over the shorts at Dapto and Richmond in recent weeks.
You see, Rees knows his dynamic duo need to find the front, and quickly, if they are to make their mark in the world’s richest race series, the Ladbrokes Million Dollar Chase (MDC).
And he’s not afraid to try something different in his bid to help his kennel stars capture more feature race glory over the coming months.
“These two are speed dogs and they need to be on the arm to win. They can’t flop out and come from behind like a Zipping Megatron for example, so I’ve mixed it up a bit to help them maintain that early pace,” Rees said.
“We’ve raced over the Dapto 297m with Hurricane Reign a few times and she’s run within a tenth of the track record. I think she’s suited to tracks like Dapto and Nowra and she went so good during the Puppy Classic.”
“It’s very enclosed at Dapto and Nowra and I call my dogs ‘Tin hair’ Chasers, they love the noise and those enclosed tracks that are noisy by nature work well for my team.”
“And the dog went to Richmond on Sunday over the shorts and won…it was the first time he’s shown that real drive for a little while and the finish on lure helps History’s Coming.”
The 10-time winner prevailing over the unsuitable 320m trip, powering underneath the mixed fourth/fifth grade field to finish strongly in a BON time of 18.12.
It’s probably fair to say the siblings have exceeded expectations so far in 2024.
History’s Coming is a Group 1 National Derby champion, while his sister ran second in the Group 1 National Futurity before claiming the Nowra Puppy Classic in April.
While between them, they’ve won 19 of 53 starts and earned more than $200,000 for connections.
“The bitch is still at the top of her game and has progressed nicely over the last six months but the dog is out of form a little bit,” Rees added.
“I took them both to Brisbane and things didn’t really work out, especially after History’s Coming ran the same splits as Mackenna in a trial at Albion Park. He just couldn’t replicate it come race time…but he’s still trialling the house down so hopefully the Richmond win gives him some much needed confidence.”
Rees still pondering the best plans of attack for his team as the biggest payday in the sport fast approaches.
“He will go to Dapto this Thursday to race over 297m but we couldn’t get the bitch a run. She is definitely going to have a go to the Megastar but we’re not sure about him,” Rees added.
“We might end up going to Nowra to try and qualify for the semifinals as well if the Megastar doesn’t work out. I’ve also got Cupid’s Arrow in the kennel but she hurt her wrist last month which is a real shame.”
“She ran 29.49 when she won at Wenty Park a few starts back but we need to get her right and that might not happen until the MDC city qualifiers. Fitness is no issue as she’s been swimming and walking but you can’t rush a wrist issue. She’s as good a chance as the other two in the series if we can get her up in time.”
History’s Coming will jump from Box 8 in Race 11 at Dapto on Thursday night.
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