Hannans on hold for My Greek Boy

Albany trainer Steve Wolfe has confirmed Hannans Handicap plans with talented sprinter My Greek Boy are on hold after he finished ninth in last Saturday’s Heineken Handicap (1400m) at Belmont Park.

My Greek Boy, last season’s Fitzpatrick Plate winner, finished third at Ascot following his Albany feature race success and then returned from a spell with consecutive third placings at Belmont in Saturday grade to strengthen his chances of a Hannans Handicap (1400m) start.

However, a potential start in the listed $120,000 Goldfields feature on September 20 remains up in the air after the horse finished ninth behind Flying Roar, beaten by four lengths at the weekend.

The five-year-old has returned to Wolfe’s Albany stables this week and will remain in work until his immediate plans are confirmed.

“He was always a maybe to go to the Hannans but it’s certainly not ruled out,” Wolfe said.

“He had a couple of hard runs in heavy going this campaign and it might have taken its toll.

“On Saturday he was just disappointing and he’s not racing quite as good as he was.

“I’ve got him back home and we will tick him along for a few days before deciding.”

Wolfe said My Greek Boy could target a race at Bunbury Turf Club’s Saturday meeting in October or be saved for Ascot if they decide against contesting the Hannans.

In-form galloper Chasing Chaos could be a surprise nomination in the Hannans Handicap for Wolfe after winning a Saturday metropolitan race two starts back.

Chasing Chaos has won six of 41 starts and broke through at Belmont over 1400m last month before a fighting third-placed finish over 1600m behind Ragnar’s Saga at Belmont almost a fortnight ago.

The six-year-old will start in the Salinger Handicap (1600m) at Belmont on Saturday and carries the minimum 54kg from barrier nine.

“He is half a chance to go to the Hannans,” Wolfe said.

“He is racing very well and his run on Saturday will determine what we do.”

Staying type War Ksar is unlikely to head towards the Boulder and Kalgoorlie cups after failing to impress in his recent starts.

Wolfe also had Three Secrets, a full brother to Hobart Jones, and Demerit filly Second Best win 1000m trials at Belmont on Monday.

Meanwhile Albany jockey Mitchell Pateman has picked up the ride on top-weight Prohurst Express in Sunday’s $30,000 Kambalda Cup (1400m) for trainer Peter Fernie.