Bright Future: Hovland Aces Sale Vicbred Maiden

SALE Vicbred Maiden winner Hovland is a highly promising youngster trainer Anthony Azzopardi believes can make the grade with maturity.

The son of Fabregas-Magic Lantern downed Myall Sandy and Matching Motors to win the $10,000-to-the-winner Vicbred Maiden (435m) at Sale on Sunday in impressive style.

“I got a text from one of his owners, Glen Talarico that he had a very smart break-in and asked would I take him on,” said Azzopardi.

“He went through our pre-training schedule and showed he has a good motor, a very good motor.

“He went super at Sale.”

Hovland will stick to low grades on country tracks while he matures.

He was one of three Sale winners for the Azzopardi kennel, the others top class sprinter Salad Dodger and the other Home Brew.

Salad Dodger ran 24.30 to win the 4th-5th Grade over Packham Silk and Amlin Emperor to take his record to 55 starts for 25 wins and $154,000.

“He's come back as good as ever,” said Azzopardi.

“We will keep him going along for all the country cups in the New Years.

“He has had no luck whatsoever in big race finals with box draws. They have killed what chances he has had.”

Salad Dodger has set track records at Traralgon and Temora, been second in the G2 Bendigo Cup, the G3 Warragul St Leger, third in the G3 SA Derby and a finalist in the G2 Ballarat Cup, G2 Traralgon Cup and the Temora Cup.

Azzopardi was particularly impressed with the performance of Home Brew (Superior Panama-Nicki Fields) which won a 510m 4th-5th Grade at Sale.

It was his seventh win in 19 starts.

“He's on his way back from an Achilles tendon injury and is unbeaten since he came back to the track,” said Anthony.