A return to soft ground should see a turnaround in form for Hackers in today's Banrock Station Handicap (race 6) at Taree.
The gelding, prepared at Port Macquarie by Neil Godbolt, was well held last start on Ramornie day at Grafton but is expected to bounce back when he returns to easier grade this time.
He meets a Benchmark 60 here over 1300m and the return to soft ground will certainly help as well.
Resuming form a spell Hackers raced here over 1000m in heavy ground, and after settling midfield ranged up on the turn and ran on for a neck win in a good form race over Mr Maturity.
He then stepped up to 1218m here on heavy ground in a Benchmark 55.
Crossing from the outside gate he took up the running and was there throughout, running away with a four length win over Why So Serious.
Up to 1370m at Bowraville, he drew wide again and settled midfield. Running off the trakc on the turn, he battled home for an eight length sixth behind Lionhearted Girl in a run well below his best.
He then headed to the Grafton Guineas over a mile and struck a good track. Settling just off the pace early he turned seventh before fading in the run home, finishing 11th and beaten 7.5 lengths behind Okane.
Today he has a couple of plusses in his favour to bounce back.
The return to softer conditions suits, as three of his four career wins have been in heavy ground.
He is also well placed back in this grade.
The claim helps and he has drawn a middle gate. With little pace on he should be close to the pace but in the easier grade and in the softer ground he will take running down.
Fellow Port Macquarie trainer Wayne Wilks has an excellent hand in the race with three runners.
Well Satisfied is dropping in class today and should run well.
Three starts ago he was a 1512m in slow ground on his home track when racing on the speed and kicking away strongly.
He then raced here in heavy where he carried a big weight and battled away to finish fourth.
Last start, back at home over 1518m in open class, he raced just off the speed and again battled home to finish there.
He drops nicely in grade this time and in a race deviod of much pace should give a big sight.
Stablemate Eishin Rock has been knocking on the door and should be running on well. He gets through the ground well and has been close in this grade recently.
Class Of Clowns was well help last time but has a good record here and is also a heavy track winner.
He won his only try at the trakc and trip and can bounce back.
Bindifield is trained on the track and does love the soft ground so is worth including in the multiples.
