Bendigo trainer Kym Hann made another successful hit-and-run mission to South Australia last weekend when Like to Think So ($6) led from start to finish in the $100,000 Happy Trails Series Final (1400m).
Hann, a master of placement who has won the Bendigo strike-rate award for the past two seasons, has won with his last five starters at Morphettville — She’s Beneficial, All About Nicci (twice) and Like to Think So (twice).
Jockey Harry Coffey was made to work to gain the lead on Like to Think So last Saturday but the five-year-old straightened up with a good lead on the Morphettville Parks circuit and held off race favourite Debt Collector.
“I had a lot of confidence in the horse because if he can control the race he’s awfully hard to beat,” Coffey said. “I worked him Tuesday morning and both Kym and I couldn’t have been happier.”
A number of Like to Think So’s owners made the trek across to Adelaide for the race. They have now reaped $140,355 from just 13 starts with their $90,000 purchase. 
In other stable news, Glenrowan Prince enjoyed little luck in last Sunday’s China Bowl at Ararat, tailing the field in.
The timing of smart mare All About Nicci going to the breeding barn will soon be determined.
Hann is running on a 12-percent strike rate this season.
Final heartbreak
Bendigo-trained gallopers Penny to Sell (Mick Sell) and Welcome Stryker (Danny Curran) finished side by side in last Thursday’s $200,000 Melbourne Cup Carnival Country Final (1600m), 10th and 11th in the field of 16.
Both horses suffered interference and should be open to improvement at their next outings.