Coffs Harbour Cup Test Beckons For Hour Of Peril

Talented galloper Hour Of Peril will be given his chance to shine for his new connections when he runs in the Coffs Harbour Cup tomorrow.

The five-year-old was recently purchased by Coffs Harbour Racing Club president Alan Johnson and Gold Coast trainer John Nikolic for a sum of $40,000 from Nathan Tinkler‘s fire sale.

Hour Of Peril has already won his race for his new owners and trainer, scoring a half-length victory in the Maclean Cup at Grafton on July 14.

Johnson is looking forward to watching his new acquisition run on home soil, as are the additional syndicate of owners.

“It’s exciting to have a runner in our home Cup, let alone a horse with a good chance,” Johnson told AAP.

“We’re all over the moon.”

Winning the Coffs Harbour Cup has always been a dream of Johnson’s, who went into the Hour Of Peril partnership with this race specifically in mind.

“John (Nikolic) had a bit of information on several horses worth buying when we went to the Gold Coast to try and get a horse with the Coffs Harbour Cup in mind,” Johnson said.

“We had a half budget but ended up spending a bit more to get Hour Of Peril.”

Hour Of Peril has won six of his 37 race starts and has earned more than $250,000 in prize money during his horse racing career, which began under the training of John Thompson.

And there is no doubt in Johnson’s mind that the Fusaichi Pegasus gelding is capable of pulling off a win in the Coffs Harbour Cup, however, he is also mindful of the tough competition.

“The horse is spot-on. He’s very happy with him,” he said.

“Whether he’s up to some of the other horses we’ll have to see, but in my mind he is. He’s got some good form in Brisbane and is a genuine each-way chance.”

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