Chris Heywood eyes Snake Gully Cup with Fermanagh Lad

Next month’s $70,000 feature at Gundagai is on the agenda for Fermanagh Lad if he can return the form of last preparation.

The six-year-old will be hoping to take a step in that direction when he contests the $22,000 Leeton Soldiers Club Stan Axtill Memorial (1150m) at Leeton.

Fermanagh Lad won a Wagga trial by seven lengths in August before returning with a first-up sixth at Canberra last month.

He was beaten three lengths by subsequent Tony Campbell Memorial winner Bring A Secret and Heywood was happy enough with the first-up performance.

“He wasn’t comfortable and didn’t look comfortable in the run. I wasn’t happy with his action but I was still really happy with the way he went,” Heywood said.

“I think he’ll be better again (on Monday).”

Fermanagh Lad finished off last preparation with a win on Wagga Gold Cup day, followed by a seven-length victory in track record time at Parkes.

A noted front-runner, Fermanagh Lad is one of several horses that are likely to want the front in Monday’s feature at Leeton.

Heywood warned rivals off taking on his runner.

“There’s a lot of speed in the race...but he’ll lead,” he said.

“If anyone wants to take him on, they’re only going to hurt themselves. He’s got a high cruising speed.

“He might still be a little bit underdone but I expect him to run well. At this stage we’re looking at the Snake Gully Cup for him, if I can get him going as good as I had him at the end of last prep.

“I reckon he could run 1400 metres at Gundagai.”

Heywood’s son Nick will reunite with Fermanagh Lad at Leeton for the first time since February this year. 

Fermanagh Lad has 60.5 kilograms and will start from barrier eight in the 10-horse field.

Heywood is happy to have his in-form son back on board.

“That helps,” he said.

“It will keep a lot of the dead weight off him as well.”

Canberra trainer Nick Olive has in-form mare Dylan’s Deeva in the feature at Leeton as she looks to register a third consecutive win.

As Bad As Tyson, a winner over the 1150m at Leeton last year, is back for Craig Widdison, while hometown trainer Peter Clancy will saddle up Mitchell Road.

Heywood believes Olive’s mare is the one to beat.

“Dylan’s Deeva has been in good form, I’d have to say it more than anything,” he said.

“She’s in winning form and it’s hard to beat a horse that is in winning form and it’s been winning quite nice races.

“It’s still an even enough race though.”

Heywood will take a team of four horses to Leeton, with House Party to debut, while Diamond Raffles and Lighthoue will also run.

He expects a strong return from Diamond Raffles in the David Boots Sand And Gravel Maiden Handicap (1050m).

“He’s come back this prep really nice,” he said.

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