Forcing tactics work for Hyden

A change of tactics worked a treat as Hyden caused a 20/1 shock when making all for a convincing victory in the W & T Supporters Club Handicap.

Seamie Heffernan sent the five-year-old gelding straight into the lead and, after building up a clear advantage before halfway, stayed on well up the final hill to beat Dusty Trail (9/2) by four and a half lengths with Bay Swallow (9/2) another three quarters of a length adrift in third. Billys Dream attracted plenty of interest in the market, with opening quotes of 10/1 slashed down to 9/2 at the off but Jim Gorman's charge never showed with a chance eventually finishing fifth.

Winning trainer Tom Gibney said, “That definitely was not a shock. The plan was to make the running and it would either work or it wouldn't. It might not work again!”

Alan Magee