In a racing career that has spanned four decades, Wayne Hudd has worked as a stablehand, trackwork rider, picnic jockey, barrier attendant and trainer. 
Hudd grew up around horses as his father was a breaker and dealer. While his father had no interest in racing, it was racing that attracted the young Hudd. 
On leaving school Hudd left his home town of Yass and headed to Sydney to take up a job as a stablehand with leading trainer Frank Penfold. 
He went on to work for such trainers as Bede Horan, Arthur Howlett and “Chicka” Pearson. 
He ventured to Melbourne at one stage and worked as a trackwork rider for Bart Cummings (Leon Corstens was stable foreman at the time), the Freedmans, Ross McDonald, Greg Vance and Mick Robins.
On returning to NSW he rode on the picnic circuit for nearly four years before a horrific fall at the Yass picnics ended his riding career. 
“I fractured my sternum, punctured my lung and crushed four vertebrae. It took me the best part of a year to recover,” he recalled this week. 
Once he was fit to return to work, Hudd took up training, basing himself at Goulburn. At his peak, he had 10-12 horses in work. 
Hudd currently has three horses, which he works with the help of his partner, former jockey Teresa Cole, who rides trackwork for him, 
Without doubt, the stable star is Judge Doom, who has won three races this preparation, including a 3200-metre race last start at Wagga Wagga. 
“That was a real thrill,” Hudd said. “I’ve never trained the winner of a ‘two-miler’ before,” said Hudd. 
“The horse is a dead-set stayer and Mel Kinny, who’s ridden him in all three wins, rode him a treat, ensuring that the race was a true staying test.” 
Hudd now faces a dilemma as to where to go next with the horse. 
“The horse is jumping out of his skin, but there’s just nothing suitable for him in NSW.  
“I’ve either got to turn him out or head south. I’m thinking of running him in a 3000-metre race at Moonee Valley next week, hopefully with Mel in the saddle. She just knows the horse really well.” 
Feeling is flying
Murwillumbah trainer Matthew Dunn claimed his fifth win of the TAB Highway series when Delightful Feeling ($3.40 favourite), ridden by apprentice Nick Heywood, took out last Saturday’s 1500-metre Class 3 at Rosehill. 
Dunn now joins Terry Robinson and Matthew Dale with most wins in the series. 
“I think we have it figured now,” Dunn told the media, referring to the 10-hour float trip to Sydney. 
“They all travel down on Wednesday, walk on Thursday morning and trot and canter on Friday. 
“They seem to perform better that way and they also get home and recover better. 
“For the moment, the system is working very well.” 
Indeed it is. 
Later in the day, Dunn completed a double when Madotti ($7.50), ridden by Tye Angland, got up in a photo finish to take out the 1200-metre benchmark 78 for fillies and mares. 
The win was Dunn’s seventh Saturday success in Sydney in three months. He has 33 winners for the season — 20 in NSW and 13 in Queensland. 
Dunn’s wife, Keira, later announced that Madotti would probably be set for the Magic Millions fillies-and-mares race on the Gold Coast in January, while Delightful Feeling is likely to head to Brisbane. 
“Now he’s put three wins together we’ll take him back to city class. Eagle Farm will suit him,” she said.
Rojo’s mojo working
There was plenty of cash on offer at Muswellbrook’s Showcase meeting last Friday and Wyong trainer Kim Waugh took the major prize when Dylan’s Rojo won the $83,000 Hollydene Estate Wins Muswellbrook Gold Cup(1500m). 
Dylan’s Rojo ($6.50), ridden by Mitchell Bell, proved too strong for $2.40 favourite Alart, scoring by 1¾ lengths. 
Binalong Road ($6) took third place.
King rules in town too
Apprentice Rachel King, who has been riding in great form of late on the country and provincial circuits, made an auspicious Sydney debut at the Canterbury night meeting last Friday. 
King took out the 1100-metre benchmark 72 aboard the Benjamin Smith-trained In Her Time ($7.50) before claiming the 1250-metre benchmark 75 for trainer Jarrod Austin on Raijinz ($6.50). 
The following day she rode $1.65 favourite Northwest Passage to victory in the maiden handicap at Hawkesbury for the powerful Waterhouse/Bott stable.
Do believe the hype
Last Friday and Saturday, in the space of just 24 hours, five women who have featured in this column celebrated wins at various meetings across the state.
The five were trainers Angela Davies, Aleacia Bennett and Colbey Hill and jockeys Chelsea McFarlane and Eleanor Webster-Hawes.
Show shines
Last Sunday’s feature at Lismore, the Evans Head Cup (1516m), resulted in a boilover, when the Terry McCarthy-trained Show Day, ridden by Matty Palmer, led all the way to win at odds of $67.
“I told Matty to push him out hard and lead,” McCarthy said. 
“When he gets to the front and gets his own way, he’s very hard to catch,” added Palmer.