Win and tonic thanks

The win by Justasip at Winton today was great on a couple of fronts.

Trainer Peter Hunter is recovering from a nasty crash on Diamonds Day at Ascot Park and one of the horse's owners is celebrating a big birthday this month.

“It’s good for Ivy Keenan who is celebrating her 85th birthday. She’s having a family gathering with quite a few friends next Sunday,” said Peter Hunter's wife Jo.

The mare which has been in the Hunter stable since December 2015 is raced on lease by Ivy and other members of the Keenan family from Canterbury breeder James Geddes and is due to be returned to him at the end of the season. Today's win was her third in sixty four starts. Both wins have been from the Hunter stable.

Driver Dexter Dunn got a nice drag into the race inside the last 500 metres behind Don't Pass I'm Fast and the free legged pacer sprinted nicely down the outside to win by three quarters of a length from Man I'm Good. 

“She seems to go better with the hopples off. We got a bit more speed out of her.”

Today's win didn't come as a surprise to Hunter.

“I thought she’d go better at Gore but Dexter used her up and she can’t be used. She’s a funny girl. She just needs to be covered up."

Winning connections                         – Photo Bruce Stewart. 

Peter Hunter was on-course today catching up with friends and Jo says he's making good progress in his recovery. 

“He’s out keeping an eye on things. He’s doing the odd box and basically handing out the orders. He just needs a lie down in the afternoon to recharge the batteries. I’ve had a couple of nice cooked meals this week. He’s actually improved a lot (in the kitchen). I don’t know what’s happened.”

The Hunters are grateful to family and the wider harness racing community for their support. 

“I’ve had great support around me so it’s been terrific really. My brother (Brendon McIntyre) has been terrific. He got our sister Megan down from Christchurch and sent one of his workers out to get us through. It's very much appreciated all round.”

And as for Peter's return?

"Hopefully he'll be driving work at home in a couple of weeks but won’t be back driving at the races until next season.”

The Hunter's other horse in the race Bold Ruler which was favourite failed to go with the rest of the field and was pulled out of the race by driver Brent Barclay.

Meanwhile the JCA announced today that as a result of an enquiry into the Foveaux Communications Mobile Pace on Diamonds Day – the race that led to Peter Hunters accident, Winton reinsman Allan Beck has had his driving licence suspended for nine days. 

Bruce Stewart
Southland Harness Racing