Hunter Handicap won by Cya Art

Harness racing trainers Steve and Amanda Telfer and Hayden Cullen have eyes on the Regent Car Court Southern Country Cup on Diamonds Day at Ascot Park.

It’s just seventeen days away, and judging by the nature of Cya Art’s (Art Major) win today (Apr. 6), he’ll be a serious contender.

Taken straight to the front by Brent Barclay the five year old held on to beat Artatac (Art Major) by a length and a half with backmarker Sand Wave (Somebeachsomewhere) a neck back in third.

“He really enjoyed his time in front and was a pleasure to drive. I didn’t release the plugs on him because he seemed to have them covered. If I’d handed to Nathan (Williamson driving Hurricane Hendrix which challenged for the front) it might have been a different story and it could have just been a sprint home so I thought I’d park him and make him do the work,” Barclay said.

This was a heat of the Country Cup Championship.

Cya Art will stay in the south at Brett Gray’s stable and will be aimed at the Country Cups Final. The $90,000 Listed Final sponsored by Hydroflow will be run over 3200 metres at Addington on Friday 12^th of May.

Today’s win for Barclay is his second success in the Hunter Family Handicap, having won it in 2014 driving Char Do Neigh (Bettor’s Delight). 

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink