Andy Hall gets win for Hunters and Dunns

Today’s win at the Gore Harness Racing Clubs meeting by Andy Hall (Andover Hall) was his first since May 2022.

The giant squaregaiter began his career with Nathan Williamson, winning eight races. Today was his eleventh start and first win for his new trainers Robert and Jenna Dunn.

“He started off with a hiss and a roar and we had high hopes for him. But he’s had a couple of bad seasons. We’ve got him on the beach at Woodend with Robert and Jenna and they’ve got him going pretty good at the moment,” breeder and part owner Ian Hunter said.

He added that the seven year old had been favouring a tendon and a hock and his formed had dropped away but that the beach seems to have helped.

“He’s also getting round the tighter tracks now which he didn’t like a year or two ago.”

Four of Andy Hall’s wins have been at Addington while his win in 2-59.4 at Ashburton in October 2021 equalled Oscar Bonavena’s New Zealand record for the 2400 metre stand.

In today’s trotting feature driver Blair Orange got him away well from his 10 metre handicap before following up Hidden Talent and taking up the pacemaking role.

Inside the last lap he was challenged by Jimmy Carter with Love N The Port making his run three wide. Turning in Andy Hall had a narrow lead and held out all challenges to beat Jimmy Carter by half a head with Love N The Port another half a head back in third.

The winning time of 3-26.9 was a new track record, lowering Raymauwarrhen Sun’s 2007 mark of 3-30.3.

Today’s win in the Jaccka Lodge Gore Trotting Cup was Hunter’s first on the all-weather surface at Gore.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink