Star bounces back after major injury

Former top pacing prospect Star Hunter (Hes Watching) won at his first start back in almost three years at Cranbourne on Tuesday (Aug. 9) to complete a masterful training performance from leading harness racing mentor Jayne Davies.

Star Hunter last raced in August 2019, but despite the lengthy lay-off, the now five-year-old was sent out a $1.45 favourite for the 2080m event and won impressively by 5.4m.

“It’s very satisfying,” said a delighted Davies.

“A lovely horse like him makes it even more rewarding because he is such a beautiful animal. He’s easy to work with and just a magnificent pacer – just so smooth – and he’s got ability, so to get him back is a real thrill.”

Star Hunter made the Group 1 Australian Pacing Gold final at his fourth career start and reached the Breeders Crown final for colts and geldings later in his two-year-old season. However, a recurrent pedal bone injury would cost the prospect the next three years of his career.

“He fractured a pedal bone, so we went through the routine of locking him up for three months, then giving him three months in the paddock,” Davies said.

“We brought him back and got him to three-quarter pace and he did it again – not exactly in the same spot as before but close – so we went through the same routine again and the same thing happened. We got him to three-quarter pace and went sore again.

“We had to make a decision – do we retire him or give him one more crack? We decided to (have another crack), so we gelded him and this time we put him out for 12 months at (co-owner) John McLeish’s place. He’s got a cattle farm, so we let him run around free as a bird and just be a horse.”

STAR HUNTER REPLAY

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by Michael Floyd, reprinted from Harness Racing Victoria