Muswellbrook, Hawkesbury previews: Trainer Jake Hull chases multi-venue double on Tuesday
The Gosford -based trainer will be at Hawkesbury with his untapped sprinter Valilee aiming to back up his mind-blowing four-length debut win when he makes the sometime quantum leap into Class 1 company.
More on him later.
The fact that Hull is at Hawkesbury and not in the Hunter is no sleight on the winning prospects of his Muswellbrook pair Diva Rouge and Outakandy.
One of just 15 named foals sired by the underrated stallion Red Henno, Diva Rouge was an honourable third on debut at Taree on June 30 prior to an unlucky fourth at Scone two weeks later.
'It was always going to work out a bit tricky for her,'' Hull began.
'She drew sticky in a race that looked tough enough form-wise, so I was very happy with her effort.
'She tried hard and she stuck on well with a tough run.
'She has been in for a while but she is still eating and she is still working good.'
Stablemate Outakandy meanwhile brings with him a compelling second-up record of two starts for a win at Kembla and a third at Warwick Farm.
The son of Outreach faded to finish down the order at Hawkesbury on July 20 but is open to sharp improvement in Tuesday's Anders @ Widden Stud Handicap (1000m).
Outakandy goes back to back with @ZacLloydx in the saddle! pic.twitter.com/XQYUkKJy3b
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) January 28, 2024
'He is an older horse that had a long time off, and was off the back of one trial, so his condition gave out,'' Hull says.
'He strips fitter and we are dropping him back to a 1000m, trying to let the speed go and hoping he can run over the top of them late.'
As for Valilee, there may not be a more naturally talented horse racing at Hawkesbury on Tuesday but certainly none to match the trials and tribulations he has endured – and overcome.
RACE 5: PROVINCIAL MAIDEN PLATE (SW) 1000M
SPONSOR: CENTRAL COAST LOCKSMITHS
WINNER: VALILEE
JOCKEY: M BELL
TRAINER: JAKE HULL @Mitchwbell26 pic.twitter.com/hlFxw3SSoL
— Gosford Race Club (@gosford_races) July 19, 2025
'He has always been a very nice horse,'' Hull said. 'We've had an opinion of him for a long time.
'Unfortunately he has had a bit go wrong with him as a younger horse.
'He had a stress fracture as a two-year-old which isn't uncommon but he came back from the spell and had a walker incident and fractured his skull.
'Then we got him scoped and he was a roarer so we had to get that rectified and I am glad we did because he has come back and his wind is great.
'They don't trial as well as he did and win on debut like that if they don't have ability.
'Obviously it is a much tougher assignment at Hawkesbury. There's a lot of last start winners there and some good trainers in the race.
'If he wins, I think we can say we have got a nice enough horse there.
'I just want to get through Tuesday. This is his first proper prep and we haven't really missed him.
'He had a hard trial and hard first-up run so I am hoping we haven't sort of gone one too many but he is still eating and still working well and I just want to see him in a bit tougher company and see where he is at.'
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