First win at Addington for Hunter

Southland trained mare Beach Day’s (Sunshine Beach) win in the $50,000 Listed Rico Lodge Uncut Gems Mares’ Classic was trainer Greg Hunter’s first winner at Addington and his biggest in a harness racing career that spans thirty years.

The five year old mare is also the first horse the former Wyndham now Kennington based trainer has ever raced at the Metropolitan track and it was even more special that Wyndham based driver Mark Hurrell did the steering.

Hurrell pushed the go button early from barrier seven and ended up three back on the fence.

“I had to go forward. You can’t afford to give class horses like Seaside Rose and Sweet Diamond too much of a head start,” he said.

Turning in, Hurrell waited for the passing lane and when it presented, Beach Day let down with a good sprint to beat Seaside Rose by three quarters of a length with Major Performer half a head back in third.

BEACH DAY REPLAY

Beach Day’s Southern form had been great and her run for second last week at Addington behind Bettors Anvil peaked her nicely for tonight’s win.

“Last week she went super and was probably a run short. That run brought her on for this week. She got the dream run and she showed how classy she is.”

Beach Day was bred by her trainer who shares in the ownership with his wife Vicky. The result was Hunter’s first black type win.

“They’re great people who have been so loyal to me since I came back to Wyndham. The horse really deserves the win. People don’t know how good she is. She’s a top mare. It was great.”

Beach Day’s win started a golden run for Southland trained horses with southern horses winning the next two races.

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink