14 Jun 2019The Roger James & Robert Wellwood-training partnership are looking forward to Hanger (O’Reilly) being a ‘made’ horse as a five-year-old, following his tough last stride win at Ruakaka this afternoon.
“He’s a stronger horse this prep and I think he will be a ‘made’ horse as a five-year-old next season,” Roger James told Cambridge Stud.
Bred by Waikato Stud, who retain ownership in him with Cambridge Stud’s Brendan and Jo Lindsay, Hanger is by O’Reilly and is out of the Gr.2 winning Savabeel mare, Do Ra Mi.
“He’s a quirky horse but we’ve ironed out a few kinks with him and next season, a big mile race wouldn’t be out of the question for him.”
Hanger was ridden to what was his 4th career win by Ryan Elliot, who enabled a never say die effort from the plucky O’Reilly gelding, powering home along the inner to snatch a nose victory from a game rival in Spider (Buffalo Man).
“It was a good ride. Had he gone around a horse, he wouldn’t have won,” said James.