Don Hunter impresses in Sapling Stakes success

Royally bred colt Don Hunter (Huntsville) added his name to a privileged list of previous winner with an easy first up win in the Listed Sootha New South Wales Sapling Stakes at Menangle on Saturday evening.

In doing so he’s earned a trip to the forthcoming Bathurst Gold Crown series.

On the strength of his impeccable trial wins at Menangle, Don Hunter was sent out a short priced favourite. He began quickly but couldn’t hold out She’s a Delaney who crossed to the lead.

However it didn’t take long for Luke McCarthy to eventually get to the front and once there he didn’t look in any danger.

He looked in total control as he drew clear down the home straight to win with consummate ease over the Victorian Themidnightexpress who finished ten metres behind with Soho Cruza a battling third. Don Hunter ran the overall mile in 1.54.2 which included a slick 27.1 seconds for the last quarter.

DON HUNTER 7 MAR REPLAY

 

Don Hunter is out of the American Ideal mare Miss Halfpenny who won the New South Wales breeders challenge as a two year old as well as the Canberra Oaks. She is also the dam of the smart colt A Buck Ten.

McCarthy has a big opinion of Don Hunter.

It’s always exciting to produce two year olds at the start of the season. He’s done a good job tonight, it’s a late night for him and the first time under lights. Really good manners, he’s a true professional so I was thrilled how he went.

Tony (licastro) picked him out himself he got three of his really good friends  involved that are predominantly thoroughbred guys so to come out and win his first race and win a Sapling Stakes it’s really good for those guys to get a bit of success straight away. I’m sure he’s going to be a really nice horse. He’ll be at Bathurst for the Gold Crown heats in a fortnight.

The win was a welcome consolation to McCarthy who had a luckless evening in the free for alls with Don Hugo and Kingman and Hesitate in the Chariots Of Fire. But there’s no doubt that Don Hunter looks every inch a star and looks set to have a major role in the forthcoming juvenile classics.

For complete Menangle race results, click here.

by Tony Milanese, for Harnesslink