Trainer Rod Hurley eyeing city success

Rod Hurley has worked for some of Australia’s biggest racing names in recent years but is keen to make his mark as a trainer in his own right, starting with Hudson County at Eagle Farm..

Hurley, who returned to training six weeks ago, had his first metropolitan runner when Hudson County finished second on February 4 when run down near the line by Colour Charge.

The gelding lines up again in Saturday’s Open Hcp (1600m) in which Colour Charge is again among his rivals.

A former leading apprentice in Brisbane, Hurley trained for several years before deciding to have a break two years ago.

“I worked for Gai Waterhouse in Sydney for a year and then rode work for Peter Moody’s Sydney stable,” Hurley said.

“But I decided to come home and then I was offered a couple of horses. So I decided to give training another go.”

Hurley is now based at Beaudesert where he has five horses in work but is keen to expand his team.

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Hudson County raced with success in NSW country areas and won at Warwick Farm in Sydney before heading north.

“Hudson County is a lovely big horse and he likes to roll along. He was probably a touch unlucky last start,” Hurley said.

“We have Brooke Ainsworth on him and she has ridden him in a trial. She can claim three kilograms which means he will carry only 51.

“There is no secret he will roll forward and lead provided no-one wants to go mad.”

Hurley also has Kaphni in the Benchmark 75 (1600m), also to be ridden by Ainsworth.

“She has been racing well and was a good winner at the Gold Coast last start. But she has a wide draw here,” Hurley said.

Hurley’s brother Tim is also a trainer and had an Eagle Farm winner with Gothic Might two weeks ago.

“It would be great for both Hurleys to have Eagle Farm winners in the one month,” Hurley said.