No Going Back seeking drought-breaking win

By Glenn Davis

Trainer Lindsay Hatch is hopeful consistent sprinter No Going Back is set to end a near 12-month drought when the gelding steps out at Eagle Farm on Wednesday.

No Going Back has strung together four straight placings including two at Eagle Farm and is looking for an overdue win in the Benchmark 75 Handicap over 1600 metres.

The five-year-old finished second at his first three starts this campaign before a last start third to the Natalie McCall-trained Brave Maso in a Benchmark 70 race over 1500 metres at Eagle Farm last month.

“Her’s been very consistent but he’s had to carry some big weights lately,” Hatch said.

“He’s only got 57kgs this time which is the best weight he’s had for a long time.”

Hatch believes the recent rain in Brisbane will boost No Going Back’s chances of winning for the first time since February of last year.

“I’ve got him going the best I can and he’ll run a big race and he loves 1600 metres,” Hatch said.

Hatch has no major plans for No Going Back but may target the Ballina Cup on January 14 if he performs well.

“He likes the sting out of the ground and 1600 metres around Ballina would suit him,” he said.

Hatch hasn’t been disappointed with No Going Back who showed good early promise as a three and four-year-old.

“He won the Rockhampton Guineas and Magic Millions Guineas in Townsville and also ran second in the Mackay Guineas,” Hatch said.

The horse that beat him in the Mackay Guineas was Mississippi Prince who won five in a row that campaign including one at Doomben.

“Since then, he’s had a few problems but he’s over them now and I’m expecting a big run from him tomorrow,” he said.

Mississippi Prince was subsequently transferred to Brisbane trainer Brent Gray who took him to Sydney for the $1 million Five Diamonds Prelude at Randwick in October last year but he failed to measure up finishing ninth.

Hatch believes the booking of comeback jockey Michael Rodd will greatly enhance No Going Back’s prospects.