After taking out the Cowra Rotary Benchmark 50 on Saturday, trainer Russell Hogan believes Dog Tags is ready for a trip to Griffith for the Eacom Cup.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The trip to Cowra delivered Hogan – who trains Dog Tags out of Queanbeyan at the moment – his first win of 2016 and the Griffith trainer now has his eyes set on a return to his home track.
“I’m a Griffith trainer and I’ll be bringing Dog Tags to the Griffith Cup,” Hogan said.
“I’m looking forward to a good time in Griffith – I haven’t been home for a while.”
Dog Tags has enjoyed his time in Cowra with two wins from three starts at the country track.
He last won at the course in November last year when Dog Tags took out the Cowra Picnic Cup.
The six-year-old started as a $7.20 shot on Saturday.
A wide barrier helped rather than hindered the gelding in the 1375m race as Rebeka Prest steered Dog Tags to a win by two lengths.
“The track on Saturday was heavy on the inside and he drew the widest barrier and travelled wide most of the race,” Hogan said.
“In saying that, he travelled a lot further than any of the other horses and was pulling away on the line.
“He’ll be good at the cup in Griffith.”
Dog Tags isn’t be the only horse Hogan is looking to bring to Griffith.
Hogan will also bring Only Leonnie to the race day on September 10.
The four-year-old mare will be out for her first win after a second and three thirds from seven starts over the past two seasons.
There’s the potential that Hogan will bring a third horse to Griffith but hasn’t decided which galloper to bring yet.
“I’ll probably bring three, Dog Tags for the cup, Only Leonnie for the 1300 metre maiden and another one for the short maiden race,” Hogan said.
“Frank Cleary has asked me to bring one for him as well so I should have three there either way.
“We try and support Griffith as much as we can.”
Despite Dog Tags’ win at Cowra being Hogan’s first of the year, he brings some decent form from the previous season into the Griffith Cup.
The back-end of 2015 proved fruitful for Hogan with five wins across the second half of the year.
His horses also claimed four seconds and four thirds over the period.
Hogan’s best day came at Balranald in October.
On that day, Dog Tags and Muzzleburst gave the Griffith trainer a perfect day at the race meet and Hogan will be out to do the same on his home track.
The 2016 Eacom Griffith Cup will be run on Saturday, September 10 at Dalton Park.
