Search

show me:

Racing Qld E Farm Wednesday Preview: 27th March 2024

3 minute read

Emerging young trainer James Healy is hopeful of notching up his second metropolitan win when he heads to Eagle Farm on Wednesday with two starters.

Picture: Steve Hart

James Healy, 28, has been in the winner's stall 11 times from 119 starters for a strike rate of 9.2 per cent since taking out his trainers' licence three years ago.

He trained his maiden city winner when Critical Thinker won on the Sunshine Coast poly track in July, 2022, when the meeting was transferred from a rain-soaked Doomben.

Healy has been patient building a team of 11 horses in work at the Sunshine Coast and accepted with Deferential in the Benchmark 70 Handicap and Class One Plate while Fearless Thinking will start in the Class Two Plate on Wednesday.

Deferential is coming off a last start second to the Lawrie Mayfield-Smith trained Majestic Boom in a 1200-metre Class One at Eagle Farm on March 16 while Fearless Thinking won a Class One over 1400 met5res at Gatton on March 17.

"I think both are very good chances and should finish in the top three," Healy said.

"Fearless Thinker's win at Gatton was super.

"I thought she'd run well that day but I feared she might be a run short with all the bad weather we had here at the time.

"She's a nice horse going forward and Damien Thornton gave her a big rap.

"He thought she'd go through the grades and should make a Saturday horse in the future."

Healy also considered nominating four-year-old Deferential for Doomben on Saturday but decided to tackle the midweeks.

"He should be three from three with a bit of luck," Healy said.

"His first-up win at the Sunshine Coast was super before he finished second at his past two runs.

"He's a very progressive type but he has a few chinks in his armour which he needs to sort out.

"He's a genuine Saturday horse and I've chosen to start him in the Benchmark race tomorrow."

Healy is happy with his progress as a trainer after learning his craft off some of the big names of Australian racing.

"I spent four years learning off Ciaron Maher and David Eustace at Caulfield and I was with Robert Heathcote for a few years," he said.

"When I was at school and university I used to help out Danny Bougoure at his stables.

"I'm starting to get some good horses now with the backing of First Light Racing so things are coming along well."


Racing and Sports

Think. Is this a bet you really want to place?

For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit www.gamblinghelponline.org.au