Rising star to chase country riches

CHASING the upcoming riches of the New South Wales country cup circuit is the plan with rising star Horn Player.

Making a swift transition through the grades this season, Horn Player has gone from a restricted class pacer to free-for-all winner, with his latest success coming at Club Menangle last night.

What makes the gelding's effort all-the-more impressive is he missed last season after spending 16 months on the sidelines.

"He was about a 62 rater when he first came back last May, now he's in open class and has been in a Victoria Cup within five months," trainer Brad Hewitt said. "Not many go through grades like that!

"He always showed promise, but missed a fair bit of racing due to a throat operation. He was also gelded during his time off and it all seems to agree with him.

"The carnival of cups is coming up, and although he is a bit of an unknown over the longer trip, he deserves the chance at it."

With Hewitt in the cart during his latest victory, Horn Player led throughout from barrier eight to cover the mile in 1:49.3 as Max Delight and I Break The Line filled the placings.

"I've got good respect for old Max, and I thought if ever we're going to beat him, it is while he is first-up and maybe a bit vulnerable," Hewitt said. "My bloke has good speed and over a I figured the best tactic is to make him chase us.

"As it turned out, if I went any slower and Max didn't have to make up as much ground, I reckon he would have beaten us!

"We came away with the win though which is the main thing."