By Glenn Davis
Taillevent is regarded by Gold Coast trainer Bruce Hill as one of the unluckiest horses in his stable but he’s hopeful the seven-year-old can break through for his first open company win at Doomben on Wednesday.
Taillevent is still eligible for Class Six grade having won five times in his 52-start career.
But the seven-year-old has been highly profitable for connections earning more than $331,000 with an additional 12 seconds and six thirds during his career.
“He’s been a very honest horse and he’s been with me since he first started racing,” Hill said.
“Unfortunately, his record isn’t as good as it should be as he’s had a lot of bad luck all his life, particularly with barriers.
Taillevent won’t have that problem when he jumps from barrier four in the Open Handicap (1200m).
The son of Haradsun finished second at his past two starts when Hill sent a small team across the border to chase the country Cups trail.
“I won the South Grafton Cup with Bodega Negra and also won the same day at Grafton with Champagne Vega,” Hill said.
“Bodega Negra went on to win the Sawtell Cup before he failed in the Coffs Harbour Cup at the start of the month.
“I’ve been having a good run lately and Taillevent has been racing well and finished second at his past two starts.”
Taillevent was runner-up to Queen Of Kingston in the Daniel Baker Sprint Prelude (1210m) at Coffs Harbour on July 21 before a similar placing in the Bakers Sprint (1210m) on the same track on August 1.
“He was a bit unlucky in both races when he got held up,” Hill said.
“He got to the front a shade too soon in the Prelude and he was held up again last start but he still hit the line well.
“He’s still a Class Six horse and is yet to win in open company but he’s racing well.
“Most of his races have been in town and he’s getting close to winning again but I’d prefer if we got a bit of rain.”
Taillevent hasn’t won for almost 12 months since claiming the Newmarket Handicap at Murwillumbah on August 24 last year.
Taillevent was bred by owners Michael Buys and Robert Wills who raced his dam Dutchy’s Lass as well as her sire Dutch Harry.
Racing Queensland webnews August 13