Owner-trainer combinations in all codes of racing come and go yet Michael Hugo’s partnership with Jack and Lorraine Roy has been hugely successful and enduring.
On Friday at Wagga, the Jack Roy-trained Reg’s Chance steps out for the fourth time and seeks to protect a perfect winning record.
At his debut at Wagga on November 19, Reg’s Chance overcame a moderate start from box six to score by just over four lengths in a smart 18.23.
Next time, exactly two weeks later, the son of Orson Alley was quickly in control from box one and, this time, his advantage over runner-up Firebird Izmir was 6 ¼ lengths – again in 18.23.
With Wagga not racing last weekend, Roy’s attention turned to Temora for start three.
A moderate getaway from box five and mid-race traffic was not enough to see the youngster’s colours lowered. His 19.00 victory was shy of the best time of the night (18.61) yet the effort was outstanding and particularly pleasing to the eye.
Interestingly, Reg’s Chance is a daughter of Extreme Chance which was also bred and owned by Hugo while Jack’s wife Lorraine trained the daughter of popular Irish sire Premier Fantasy.
On the track Extreme Chance was a star. She posted 48 wins and 60 placings from 134 starts and has since proven to be a successful mum.
Her first litter by champion Barcia Bale boasts Choice Chance (18 wins), Logical Chance (14) and Take No Chance (12) – each raced by Michael Hugo and trained by the husband-and-wife team.
For this fourth outing, Reg’s Chance must contend with box five (in Race 10) again, with the talented Noel’s Desire to his outside.
Noel’s Desire has been down to 18.20 at Wagga yet can mix box manners. He closed late (wide) when fourth to Reg’s Chance at Temora on December 10 and will need to get the start right to turn the tables.
It’s a long way for Reg’s Chance step out of his mum’s shadow but, after just three starts, he’s certainly shown the quality of a future top line sprinter.
The first of 11 races at Wagga on Friday is at 6.17pm.
