Rosehill trainer Stephen Hood was doubly delighted after booking Greg Ryan for topweight Juerga in the $20,000 Fire Protection Cup (2110m) at Orange tomorrow.

Not only was Hood happy to secure the services of sought after champion country hoop but following a conversation with the Dubbo-based rider, his concerns over Juerga’s ability to handle the distance were allayed.

“I was a bit concerned about Juerga getting the trip but after speaking to Greg (Ryan) he’s of the opinion he can get him to settle,” Hood said. “Apparently Greg rode the horse trackwork in his early days and knows him well.

“I think Juerga is very well weighted. With Greg on board, he’ll be very hard to beat.”

The Orange fixture marks the final country event in the highly successful 50-day autumn carnival promotion.

And it is fitting the nine-race meeting will also help charity Street Swags, a Brisbane-based organisation who buy swags for homeless people. The charity is supported by David Halliday of Macquarie Wealth and Sydney Swans player, Craig Bolton.

The Golden West Race Club have agreed to donate half the gate takings and Sydney-based Ultimate Fire Protection added further sponsorship, taking the major race from $8000 last year to $20,000 this year.

Hood meanwhile, said Juerga had recovered since being scratched from the $70,000 Quasar Constructions Hcp (1600m) at Randwick last Saturday.

“He reared up in the barriers and cut his bottom lip. There was blood and he was rightfully ruled out,” Hood said. “It turned out to be a minor injury and it hasn’t affected him.

“I’ve been happy with his work leading into the race.”

Hood only took over the training of Juerga from Mark Jones following the equine influenza outbreak.

“Peter Harrow rang me up out of the blue and asked me to train him,” Hood said. “I didn’t even know the bloke but he’s a great fella and hopefully Juerga can breakthrough for a win tomorrow.”

Harrow and his family hail from Guerie, the home town of Randwick trainer Betty Lane, the first woman in Australia to be granted a number one trainers’ licence.

Juerga has been in good form recently finishing second to Lyncean Beauty in the Muswellbrook Cup (1750m) on April 4 then third to Nampara Bullet in the Zoo City Cup (1600m) at Dubbo on April 20.

The winner of 11 from 50 starts, Hood describes Juerga as “a lovely old horse with plenty of racing left in him.

“He was very unlucky at Muswellbrook but had every chance at Dubbo, a race which the form has stacked up,” Hood added.

Hood will use a cross over nose band on Juerga who will carry 58kg.

Ryan has a great book of rides including the John Langworthy-trained Nampara Bullet in the Fenech vs Nelson 3 June 24th Open Hcp (1310m).

By Tony White