VICTORIAN owner-trainer Glenn Rounds was at his wits end with well-bred dog Hellbound so he sent him to Tasmania hoping a change of environment would spark some action.
The plan worked and at Tattersall’s Park in Hobart last week the son of Droopy’s Maldini scored an imprterssive win in a grade five over 461 metres.
It was the dog’s third start in the state and one that impressed his stand-in trainer Mick Stronger.
“Glenn (Rounds) said he was pulling his hair out trying to get this dog to race well over there (Victoria) so he asked me to give him a try and thankfully he has taken to a change of environment,” Stringer said.
“His first start was good and we backed him at his next start but he let us down.”
“But he did the job well tonight and that’s what counts,” he said.
Hellbound began only fairly from box two but mustered speed to be on the heels of the leader near the top turn. He was poised to strike turning for home and when he slipped into overdrive he left his rivals in his wake.
Punters crunched Hellbound on the Tote with a late surge of money resulting in a dividend of $1.60.
Hellbound began his racing career in June with a brilliant qualifying trial win at Ballarat, recording 25.82 over the 450m but despite drawing the inside box for his race debut a week later he could only manage fourth.
That’s when Round opted to send the dog to Tasmania.
He solo trialled at Sandown in July prior to being sent to Stringer.
While Stringer was expecting Hellbound to run a big race, he was taken by surprise when Oxley Fantasy scored at big odds in a low grade race earlier in the night.
Oxley Fantasy jumped well from box three and assumed control near the top turn and then had enough in reserve to stave off all challengers to score narrowly from Rutherglen Red and Perfect Socks.
“Oxley Fantasy was probably on her last chance but that’s often the way. When you sack them they decide to tureen the form around,” Stringer said.