Hijack Hussy Headlines Mode Plate Nominations

Talented filly Hijack Hussy has been included in the 2014 Mode Plate nominations and will have the chance to record her third straight victory when she contests the Listed event at Doomben on Saturday.

Hijack Hussy took out the Lexus Hybrid Plate at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day. Photo by: Sarah Ebbett

Hijack Hussy took out the Lexus Hybrid Plate at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day. Photo by: Sarah Ebbett

Hijack Hussy recorded one win from her three race starts as a two-year-old, but she has stamped herself as one of the most promising fillies in Brisbane since she returned to the races in August.

The daughter of Hussonet returned to the races with a close second behind talented stablemate Pienkna in the Australian Polo Doomben Handicap (1200m) on August 23 and was sent for a freshen up following her credible fifth place finish in the PFD Food Services Handicap (1350m) at the same venue on September 13.

Hijack Hussy recorded her first win as a three-year-old with a professional performance in the Perimeter Solid Plastering Handicap (1400m) at the Gold Coast on October 4 before she recorded her maiden win at black type level in the Listed Lexus Hybrid Plate (1400m) at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day.

The three-year-old has a clear ratings edge over her likely rivals in the Mode Plate, but will carry the same weight under the set weights plus penalties conditions of the Listed event.

One of the most interesting horses in the 2014 Mode Plate nominations is Liam Birchley-trained Ruby Soho, who has not been seen at the races since she finished third behind Unencumbered and Oakleigh Girl in the 2014 Magic Millions Classic.

Ruby Soho made her racing debut with a third place finish in the Carlton Draught Plate (1010m) at Doomben on October 5 last year and was narrowly denied a maiden win in the Channel Seven Handicap (1000m) at Eagle Farm on November 23 before she finished third behind Oakleigh Girl in the Listed Calaway Gal Stakes (1010m) at Doomben on December 14.

The Publishing filly recorded her maiden race win in The Queensland Times Plate (1100m) at Ipswich on December 27 before she hit the line strongly in the Magic Millions Classic.

Another promising filly that is set to contest the Mode Plate is Paddy Cunningham-trained Shinji.

Shinji started her racing career with three straight victories before she suffered her maiden defeat in the Listed Lancaster Stakes (1200m) at Doomben on May 17 and is yet to record a race win since returning to the races, but finished a close second at Grafton on November 5 and was third behind Tina Melina and Lush Belle in the Courier Mail Members Handicap (1200m) at Doomben on November 22.

Other horses among the Mode Plate nominations are Lush Belle, Rosella, Tales Of Fashion and Tina Melina.

About The Author

Thomas Hackett

Thomas is a passionate and opinionated racing journalist and punter who has been obsessed with horse racing since he backed Saintly to win the 1996 Melbourne Cup. An international racing enthusiast, he has his finger on the pulse of racing news not just from Australia but all around the world.