Don Hunter justifies his reputation in Breeders Challenge success

It’s very rare that Luke McCarthy doesn’t come away with Group 1 success on big nights like this and last night was no exception with his classy harness racing colt Don Hunter (Huntsville) sped away with the Nutrien Equity NSW Breeders Challenge Final for two year old colts and geldings at Menangle on Saturday evening.

His task was made much easier when one of him main rivals Boystrous broke up in the score up and was back a clear last on settling down.

DON HUNTER 31 OCT REPLAY

Don Hunter did a bit of work to head off Tuapeka Gold in running his first quarter in 27.2 seconds and then McCarthy gave the flashy colt a breather. Boystrous caught the field and went around the field to sit outside Don Hunter. Unfortunately he galloped again on the final bend disorganising the field as Don Hunter scooted clear.

Disturbance finished on well out wide to grab second with outsider Facet Prince running the race of his life for third. Don Hunter ran the mile in 1.51.1 which was a tick faster than Comeandsee’s 1.51.7 in the fillies division.

Don Hunter is part raced by well known identity Tony Licastro who races the colt with a number of friends. Licastro has achieved great success with Don Hugo who’ll be ready to race again soon.

The dam of Don Hunter Miss Halfpenny was a talented race mare winning ten races including the New South Wales Breeders Challenge as a two year old and going 1.55. She’s also left the three year old A Buck Ten and she has a yearling filly by Captain Treacherous.

 

For complete race results, click here.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink