sport, local-sport, mitch beer, hanger, echuca cup, albury gold cup
THE Mitch Beer-trained Hanger has stormed into Albury Gold Cup calculations after scoring a barnstorming victory in Sunday's Echuca Cup. Hanger is only a recent addition to the Beer stable and was having his second Australian start after winning three of his 19 career starts in New Zealand. The Kiwi import finished midfield at Flemington last month with Damien Oliver aboard in his Australian debut over 1200m. Hanger ($12) improved sharply in the $100,000 Echuca feature and stalked the early leaders before finishing powerfully to score a runaway victory with in-form apprentice Teo Nugent aboard. Despite being untried over 1400m, Beer is convinced Hanger will prove ultra competitive over a mile and even up to the Albury Cup distance of 2000m. "The horse was placed in group company in New Zealand and boasts a good resume," Beer said. "It's always harder when they come to Australia but to be able to prove his credentials against some quality opposition in the Echuca Cup was a terrific effort. "He jarred up at his first Australian start at Flemington and is the type of horse who really appreciates the sting out of the ground. "The track at Echuca was upgraded to a Good 4 and I was contemplating scratching the horse. "But after walking the track I opted to run him and obviously glad I didn't scratch the horse." IN OTHER NEWS Beer said he would now nominate Hanger for both the Albury Gold Cup and Albury Mile. "He had 20 starts in New Zealand and has never run past 1400m," he said. "But I'm of the opinion he is a dead-set middle distance galloper that can be stretched out to 2000m. "That's how I've been training him and the way he run a strong 1400m at Echuca I'm happy to keep heading down that path." Beer said stablemate Perfect Illusion would also be nominated for the Albury Cup.
THE Mitch Beer-trained Hanger has stormed into Albury Gold Cup calculations after scoring a barnstorming victory in Sunday's Echuca Cup.
Hanger is only a recent addition to the Beer stable and was having his second Australian start after winning three of his 19 career starts in New Zealand.
The Kiwi import finished midfield at Flemington last month with Damien Oliver aboard in his Australian debut over 1200m.
Hanger ($12) improved sharply in the $100,000 Echuca feature and stalked the early leaders before finishing powerfully to score a runaway victory with in-form apprentice Teo Nugent aboard.
Despite being untried over 1400m, Beer is convinced Hanger will prove ultra competitive over a mile and even up to the Albury Cup distance of 2000m.
"The horse was placed in group company in New Zealand and boasts a good resume," Beer said.
"It's always harder when they come to Australia but to be able to prove his credentials against some quality opposition in the Echuca Cup was a terrific effort.
"He jarred up at his first Australian start at Flemington and is the type of horse who really appreciates the sting out of the ground.
"The track at Echuca was upgraded to a Good 4 and I was contemplating scratching the horse.
"But after walking the track I opted to run him and obviously glad I didn't scratch the horse."
