Racehorse TALK

West Australian-bred six-year-old Ace Hand, who heads to Queanbeyan on Friday, surprisingly is still an entire.

It is unusual for a horse of that age, with no pretensions as a stallion, not to be gelded.

"There's nothing special in his breeding to suggest he's a stallion prospect, for no real reason I never got around to gelding him," trainer Barry Freebody said.

"Maybe I should have done it but this horse wouldn't know he's a colt. He's easy to work with."

Ace Hand, a Brad Clark mount, tackles the Queanbeyan Race Club Function Centre Hcp (900m) on the eight-event program.

"I think he can run a race tomorrow," Freebody said.

"I've freshened him up since his run at Canberra. He's going well."

Freebody, who retired from his alternate job as a contract truck driver seven months ago, said Ace Hand twisted a plate when tailing off behind Fab Cat over 1200m on February 6.

"The plate didn't come right off but the horse was a bit sore for a few days after," Freebody said.

"I tipped him out in the paddock and he works around a nature park at the back of the stables and only goes to the track a couple of times a week."

Four runs back Ace Hand finished a close second to Pass It On over 1460m at Queanbeyan on December 8 and followed up with a win over 1400m at Wagga on December 24.

"While yet to win over 900 metres, Ace Hand has won over the 1000 and run some terrific trials over 900 metres," Freebody said.

"Fresh, he's capable of running good over the shorter trip and the barrier (two) helps."

Ace Hand has been placed in four of seven runs at the track and has an overall record of 25 starts for three wins and seven placings.

If the entire comes through Queanbeyan, Freebody intends finding a suitable race for Ace Hand during the Wagga Cup carnival.

Freebody will also saddle up Kossi Queen (race three) and Lowonale (race seven), both to be ridden by Richard Bensley.

"They're new horses to the stable owned by people in Cooma," Freebody said.

© AAP 2009 Published 23/04/09