Hurricane blows into Gore

Hurricane Hill (Muscle Hill) is a trotter who’s turned a corner, and under Oamaru harness racing trainer Phil Williamson, is in a rich vein of form.

The five year old hasn’t been with the master trainer for very long but he’s now won four of his last six starts including today’s Kim McDowell Painting and Decorating Gore Trotting Cup.

In a small but talented field driver Matty Williamson settled Hurricane Hill two back on the inside with Simone Lindenny (Love You) making play.

“He got in the right spot and felt good all the way. There were good horses behind him so we couldn’t underestimate them,” Williamson said.

When Peregrine (Pegasus Spur) made a move from three back on the inside Williamson got off the inside running line.

“I came out quite early.”

When he pulled the plugs Hurricane Hill took the lead, beating Peregrine by half a length.

“I put a length on Brad (Simone Lindenny) at the top of the straight and then he was asking ‘what do you want me to do next boss? I knew that when Peregrine got close my horse wasn’t going to let her pass. He was strong to the line and held on easily to be fair.”

HURRICANE HILL REPLAY

Hurricane Hill was initially trained by Regan Todd, and he had a few tricks.

“I wouldn’t say he was out of the woods yet, but he’s definitely come a long way. He often struggles to concentrate, and he can duck and dive a bit. He’s got a big motor but doesn’t fully understand what he’s supposed to be doing. Now he’s off the handicaps he’s following along and attacking the line and starting to work out the game. Dad doesn’t have half the trouble he used to at home so he’s turned a corner and you can tell by the way he’s racing.”

Meanwhile rising nine year old Sagwitch (Lis Mara) in start number 107 won his tenth race and took his stakes earning to $171 short of a $100,000.

Trained by Syd Breen and driven by Mark Hurrell, Sagwitch lead all the way and won by two and three quarter lengths.

The Orange Roughy (Betterthancheaddar) was short on the tote and proved to be a tricky steer for Blair Orange in Race Five but despite his greenness he held on to win on debut.

The two year old is trained by Tony Stratford and is owned by the large Win or Lose on the Booze, and Wazzanme Syndicates.

Wyndham trainer Ricky Gutsell scored a notable double at Gore today when full brothers Hacksaw Ridge and Still Rockin (A Rocknroll Dance) both won. It was the second time Gutsell has won two races in one day. In February this year he trained Insarchatwist and Still Rockin to win on this track. They are both sired by A Rocknroll Dance and out of the same mare Insar (Dare To You).

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink