Caption: Trainer Josh Wright (right) and his father John with Hey Dougie after the chaser’s win in the Launceston Breeders Classic.

By BRENNAN RYAN

Mole Creek trainer Josh Wright savoured his greatest moment in racing when Hey Dougie dashed home late to score a last-stride victory over littermate Always Baroque in the recent  Launceston Breeders Classic Final.

Hey Dougie started at $5.50 from box one in the final with Don\’t Start Now running the $3.50 favourite.

While slow away from the start, Hey Dougie gained a dream rails run from the inside box, then settled midfield when heading out of the home straight chasing after race leader Don\’t Start Now, who held what appeared to be a winning break.

Approaching the home bend the son of Fernando Bale and Stayers Inn had dug deep and reeled in Don\’t Start Now, who faded out for third with Always Baroque flying home to nail second.

Hey Dougie, raced by the Gold Nugget Syndicate, notched up his second career win, registering a 30.28s performance.

For Josh and partner Katie Grubb it was their second victory as breeders while also producing a quinella in the final.

\”A real gutsy effort, I personally thought he was right out of contention,\” said Josh Wright.

\”The last few runs have shown he is becoming a handy chaser for our kennel and continues to grow further onwards.\”

Wright, who has held a trainer’s licence for six years in Tasmania, was fortunate a few years back to strike up a breeding deal with prominent New South Wales-based owner John Tindall and gained Stayers Inn in return.

The first litter by Fabregas resulted in Fabulous Baroque, a winner of 25 races, including the 2019 Hobart Breeders.

\”It\’s a real family affair and I can\’t thank my dad John (Wright) and father in-law Robin Grubb enough for their great help and support. Just in the last few months we\’ve all gone into partnership racing dogs and it\’s going great,\” said Wright.

\”I love breeding pups and I\’m grateful for John (Tindall) for giving me the opportunity to breed with his bloodline.\”

So far the Fernando Bale-Stayers Inn litter has won 12 races and there should be plenty more to come along the way.

\”They\’ve been a nice litter and Hey Dougie has progressed along. Hopefully he has a few more wins yet,\” said Wright.