Lindsay Hatch set for big days ahead

By Glenn Davis

The old cliche - horses for courses – will be ringing in the ears of Toowoomba trainer Lindsay Hatch if improving mare Spiritomo is successful at Ipswich on Thursday.

Hatch has declared Spiritomo the best of his three starters at Ipswich when the four-year-old mare steps out in the Fillies And Mares Class 3 Handicap over 1200 metres.

Spiritomo has won three of her 15 starts, including four Ipswich appearances for a win and two placings.

The daughter of Spirit Of Boom blotted her Ipswich copybook three starts back when she beat one runner home in an 800-metre Benchmark race for three-year-olds in late July.

Her first two starts of her career were at the track when she ran second and then won in Maiden class in May last year, while she was also placed at the track in three-year-old grade a year ago.

Spiritomo has been ridden at her past two starts by Hatch’s apprentice Angela Jones but Jimmy Orman has taken over the riding duties.

“She’s only a tiny mare that’s why I’ve been using my apprentice at her past couple of starts,” Hatch said.

“This time I’m putting a senior on and I’m expecting her to run out of her skin.

“I’ve always said you’ve got to have horses for courses and I’m hoping that will be the case for her and in the Weetwood as well.”

Hatch won his first Weetwood Handicap last year with Jadentom and is confident Rhyme Nor Rhythm can defend his crown at Toowoomba on Saturday.

Rhyme Nor Rhythm recently turned nine and is coming off a first-up fifth to King Claus in a 1000-metre Open at the Sunshine Coast on September 5.

“He’s won six from eight at Toowoomba and I rate him a real big chance,” Hatch said.

“His last run was his first in over 12 months and he’s improved out of sight.

“I thought his first up run was enormous and although he might lack a bit of class some of the others have, he’s a deadset track specialist.”