Hulberts chase first double

The new Peter and Will Hulbert father and son training partnership is hoping for its first metropolitan double at Eagle Farm.

The Hulberts have had a steady stream of winners since starting their partnership earlier this year and believe Excelebrazione (2YO Hcp) and Saga Miss (Hillross Plate) can give them a double on Saturday.

“It’s not often we have two runners in town let alone two favourites. We have nine horses in work but only four running at the moment,” Peter Hulbert said.

Excelebrazione showed his immaturity when last at Doomben at his first start but then won a Deagon barrier trial before storming home for second behind promising She’s Our Star at his second start.

“I don’t know what went wrong first-up as he had never done anything like that before. But the trial and his last start showed what he can do,” Hilbert said.

Excelebrazione is by Group One winning European sire Excelebration out of good producing mare Endless Maize who is owned by the Lillivale Stud.

“Endless Maize is turning out to be a star as a broodmare. Everything she throws seems to be able to gallop,” Hulbert said.

“We have had terrific success with her offspring with horses such as the stakes winner Endless Shadow.

“Her next foal is by Sizzling and is a lovely type as well, so the line will continue by the looks of things.”

Brad Stewart is under suspension so Michael Hellyer will take the ride.

“Michael does a lot of work for us and deserves to be on a favourite in town,” Hulbert said.

Hulbert also has high hopes for Saga Miss who was a Class 2 horse when she beat a good field of open company horses at the Gold Coast last week.

“Saga Miss is pretty promising and she gets into this Plate race not too badly at the weights,” he said.

“I think the key to her has been keeping her away from wet tracks and some advice Brad gave us after he rode her at Beaudesert.

“She was very unlucky but Brad told us she was resenting the tongue tie and to take it off. She has won both her starts since.”