First group win for Hunter

Today at Ashburton Raklou (Sweet Lou) gave harness racing trainer Peter Hunter his first group success both as a trainer and a driver.

The high quality two year old sat parked for the entire 1700 metres in the $27,000 Group Three Helen Pope Fillies Classic but still won by two and a quarter lengths beating Aardies B Miki (Always B Miki) with Waterfront (Downbytheseaside) a neck back in third.

RAKLOU REPLAY

“I had no other option with the preferential draw and the style of racing, but I think it suited her. We’ve had to do it hard but it’s one of her strengths because she likes to be in the fight. (She) has a good brain so can handle it,” Hunter said after the run.

The winning time was 2-06.1.

“It was tough conditions today, windy and cold so full credit to her.”

Raklou has been in Canterbury for a month staying at Hunter’s sister in-law Megan Swain’s Leeston stable.

“Megan rings me and we liaise. She’s a great trainer in her own right and it’s worked out perfectly. She (Raklou) felt like a real top stayer today. She’s really stepped up and felt good in the warmup. She knew that it was game on today, more so than the other two runs up here.”

Rakalou is owned by Southlander Brendon Fahy who bred the filly.

“Remember that day she won in town (Invercargill) and went a 1-57 mile rate and actually broke the track record. I thought then that she was a bit above average,” Fahy said.

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink