Hatch hopes to grab feature at Home Hill

By Garry Dell

Trainer Lindsay Hatch would dearly love to win a Home Hill race named in honour of retired Townsville trainer Errol Sewell on Tuesday.

Hatch has veteran Ventura Ocean chasing his seventh victory in his career. 

The nine-year-old will line up against a full field in the Errol (Legend) Sewell Open Handicap over 1460 metres and has jockey Justin Stanley in the saddle.

Ventura Ocean was a close third to Magic In Me in the recent Ben Bolt Cup at Bowen over 1470 metres and Hatch said the horse had pulled up well and had improved in his work since.

"It would be great to win the race named after a legend of racing in Queensland," Hatch said.

"He certainly retired with a record unlikely to be beaten for several years, if ever.

"I know our Townsville foreman Martin Haley and staff there would be over the moon if the old bloke could put his best hoof forward and bring home the bacon.

"The old horse is nearing the end of his career so it would be good if he could go to the retirement paddock on a winning note.

"He's a true gentleman around the stables and I'm sure the staff will miss him when he retires."

Hatch had a busy few days last week travelling between his stables at Toowoomba and Townsville. 

He wasn't at Cairns to see his charge Ships Ahoy win the final event on Cup day but had high praise for the Townsville stable staff. 

Hatch saddled up a winner in Visual Element at Toowoomba on Saturday night.

He said he hoped to have a strong team entered for the two-day Cairns Amateurs extravaganza on September 13-14.

"We're gradually finding out what type of horses we need to win the better type of races up there and Martin keeps a close eye on the results of meetings in the area," Hatch said.

Hatch said his veteran grey gelding Sayl would line up for what could probably be his final race in the Cairns Amateurs Cup, a race he won two years ago.