Hunter colours head to Addington

Kennington harness racing trainer Greg Hunter in the thirty years he’s been training, has never raced a horse at Addington. But that’s about to change.

On Friday night Beach Day (Sunshine Beach) will don the Hunter colours in the last race at Addington and will hopefully do the southern horseman proud.

“There’s nothing for her down here and I think she deserves a crack at racing for a bit better money. We’re going to find out where we stand. She’s part of the family and takes a bit of getting on with at times.”

He added “I’ve only ever been there (Addington) twice in my life. I dropped in when Peter Hunter (his cousin) had Raklou racing and the other time was to see First Royal race,” Hunter said.

Greg trained First Royal to win six races before Robert Dunn won a further two with the gelding and took him to Cup Week in 2007.

Mark Hurrell will drive Beach Day and Hunter says if she goes well she’ll more than likely stay on and race in the $50,000 Listed Rico Lodge Uncut Gems the following Friday.

While Wyndham horseman Craig Ferguson takes the mare north with Wag Star, Hunter will take First Light (Sportswriter) to Winton tomorrow for a $15,000 heat of the Diamond Creek Farm/SBSR Silk Road Series for mares.

Her form this season has been excellent and her barrier draw of four should give driver Mark Hurrell some options.

“It’s good racing against your own sex. She’s very consistent and I couldn’t be happier with her. She tries her heart out at each start and you can’t ask for more than that. I think she’s been a wee bit unlucky a couple of times so hopefully we can do a bit better this week.”

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink