Hunter Direct rewarded for consistency

Press, 13 June 1978, Page 20

Hunter Direct rewarded for consistency

Racing and trotting

From G. K. YULE in Nelson

Some consistent racing by the Oamaru-trained Hunter Direct was rewarded when he gained a clear-cut win in the Dominion Breweries Handicap at Richmond Park yesterday. His success qualified him for a start in the Rangiora Winter Cup on Saturday and this will probably be his next mission.

Hunter Direct recorded a fourth and a third at the recent Ashburton meeting, while on Saturday he beat all but the talented Master Regal in the Caltex Gold Cup. He was a fairly firm third favourite yesterday and paid $6.50 for a win and $2.20 for a place. Betting on the race was dominated by Lopez Boy and First Encounter, but their supporters had little chance of a return. I.opez Boy broke hopelessly at the start, while First Encounter was pushed back to the rear of the leading bunch near the 600 m. He moved up to be fairly

handy early tn the run home, but made little progress after and finished a distant tenth. Kevin Townley improved sharply near the 1200 m with Hunter Direct and took over from Billie Burke. He was still pacing comfortably turning for home and was not really put to the test, winning by almost three lengths. Armbro Rhythm met traffic problems in the middle stages and did remarkably well to get up for second. Equally as impressive was Taringa Bay, which came with a determined run to finish third only a head back. I’emorse, which raced up to be handy to Hunter

Direct starting the run i home was shaded for fourth I by No Truant, which should; be improved as a result of two races at the meeting. Billie Burke, close to the pace to the straight, dropped [ away to sixth, ahead of But-! [ler Brigade and Hydro Byrd,| which put in a tremendous | run after Lopez Boy broke ■ in front of her and locked j sulky wheels with her near I the 800 m. After that she I looked to be tailed right off. Lord Nugent had to be , good to win the second leg, L the Sportsman Filter Handi-[j cap. He was in the open for; the whole race and moved j up to the pacemaker, Single[ Lord, at the straight en-[ trance. p There was little between !(

I the pair for 100 m, but soon I after Prince Nugent took a j short lead. He cid not look llike being caught and had ;two lengths and a half to j spare over Single Lord, (which is overdue for a win. Thurber’s Boy appreciated . |the firmer footing and went; | quite well for a fair third; [two lengths back, with a| isimilar margin to Katea Lad, i which began brilliantly and [trailed Single Lord to the) [straight. However, when[ ;pulled out near the 200 m. he; could produce nothing extra.: Hanover Man battled on from a handy position for) fifth. Orphan Lad broke badly [ at the start and checked; i Cheeky Wave badly.