MUSWELLBROOK'S newest trainer Ben Blay has found the right mixture for six-year-old Alot To Hoffa (Mikayla Weir), which won the Two Rivers Wines Class One (1450m) at Skellatar Park on Sunday.
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And, Blay, who studied pharmacy at university for several years, had Weir to thank for some advice she offered him.
"Thanks for listening to me," Weir said.
"I told Ben to step the horse up to 1450m rather than 1200m."
At one stage Blay, a well-known equestrian coach, was headed for life as a pharmacist.
"I had a couple of years at uni studying pharmacy but decided to give it away because I wanted to work outside," he explained.
"Chris Heywood who trains at Wagga is a good friend.
"He had this horse and offered him to me because he did not have any room at his stable.
"Chris trialled the horse and he bowed a tendon, so he turned the horse out for 12 months.
"He brought him back, gave him another trial and he bowed the other tendon.
"Chris gave him another long spell then sent him to me.
"The legs have not been of any concern to him since I got him, thanks to Chris' patience."
Alot Like Hoffa has had only three starts for two wins and a sixth.
The horse was back second last at one stage but got a split in the straight and flew to grab Ellebeedee near the line to prevail by a neck.