Raklou gives Hunter first winning drive at Addington

Ryal Bush harness racing trainer Peter Hunter doesn’t drive very often at Addington but tonight (May 19) he notched his first driving win at the Christchurch track with Raklou (Sweet Lou).

“She got a bit lost under the lights, but it was her first time at Addington,” he said.

In a small field Hunter had the confidence to sit parked outside leader Aardie B Miki (Always B Miki).

“The pace got a wee bit slow for us so that’s why I moved up. If he (driver Tim Williams) wanted to give me the front that was an option, but he didn’t. I didn’t mind sitting parked.”

At the top of the lane, once balanced, Raklou showed a bit of class and came in to win by three and a quarter lengths from Sophie Rose (Sportswriter).

“I don’t know what happened on that last bend. She just got a wee bit lost. It looked as though she was just battling and she had me worried for a stride. Once I got the plug out, she was away again.”

RAKLOU REPLAY

The winning time was 2-25.7 with the last 800 metres cut out in 58.0.

“She just had to work things out tonight, but nice horses do that.”

Owned by Brendon Fahy, Raklou is out of Raksbet (Bettor’s Delight) which won two races for trainer Clark Barron and a further two for Regan Todd.

Raklou will now head to Ashburton to contest the Group Three Helen Pope on June 4^th before heading out for a spell.

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink