Season set to jump for Hammarquist, Spowart, with multiple runners at Geraldton Turf Club this Sunday
Geraldton Turf Club attendees might want to watch out for Gordon Spowart and Graeme Hammarquist this week as it looks like they’re planning to come in hot.
The star trainers, described by a local colleague as a “force to be reckoned with”, have a number of entrants on Sunday and it looks like after slow starts their season might be ready to jump out of the barrier.
“I’ve got about six or seven,” Spowart said.
“There’s a couple of new ones that need a run fitness wise and a couple trialling as well.”
Sans Le Sou is one — the five-year-old ran second over 1400m last time out and will want to go one better. Spowart said there were plenty of meets to start racking up the wins.
“I’ve only had a couple of runners, only had four starters I think,” he said.
“It goes until April, there’s plenty of time.”
Hammarquist said he planned to hit the track with Carnarvon Cup winner Marxian and Black Money, who finished in a quinella with Marxian last time at Geraldton.
“I’ve got six runners in,” Hammarquist said.
“I had five last week.
“Marxian is having his first run back, Black Money having his first run back.
“Last meeting in Geraldton he ran second behind Marxian.
“There are a few of them that might bother the scorers.”
Trainer Rhona MacPhilomey, who has had a brilliant start to the season, said earlier this month she expected both trainers to hit their straps soon.
“Gordon hasn’t started,” MacPhilomey said.
“He always comes to hand late, but he’s a force to be reckoned with. “Graeme hasn’t hit his top straps yet.”
MacPhilomey won the first quinella of her 20-year career this month, with Billy Jack beating his stablemate, A Steamy Affair, over 1900m.
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