Trainer Peter Hunter may be confined to the kitchen for a while, making his favourite bangers and mash, and because of the way his team is going on the race track at the moment he's afraid he may have to stay there.
The Ryal Bush harness racing trainer has been sidelined after being concussed in a nasty smash on Diamonds Day at Ascot Park at the end of last month. Since then his wife Jo has been doing most of the hands on work with the team, and in the last two weeks the stable has picked up three wins.
“They told me to take it quietly and said I’d get tired, and I do. The teams going quite good without me so I’d better stay put. I like bangers and mash and can cook spuds," he told me after Bold Ruler won his second race at the Invercargill meeting today (Saturday).
It seems that the Changeover gelding, which is owned by Hunter's brother in law Brendon McIntyre and Bill Moffatt has been around forever. Today's was his sixty fifth start. His last win was on this track at this meeting two years ago.
Brent Barclay, Bold Ruler, Jo Hunter and Brendon McIntyre – Photo Bruce Stewart.
“He’s a bit different – precious. He had a bit of ability when he was young but wasn’t strong enough to run young. He qualified behind Pulp Fiction. His three year old season was a washout, he just wasn’t strong enough. He’d just gone the odd good race to keep you interested. This year he’s been really good.”
Bold Ruler was on warning after refusing to go with the mobile arm at Winton last weekend resulting in driver Brent Barclay pulling him out of that race.
“He never races good at Winton. The starting point throws him a bit because it’s near the gate. With those sorts of things he plays on it and he over thinks things. Brent didn’t pull the plugs on him today. He couldn’t believe how different he was (in mood) from last week.”
Bold Ruler and Barclay ended up slotting into the one one. He managed to get on to the back of Magnetic Watch inside the last 800 metres. He was carted up by that horse until the field straightened and he came resolutely down the middle of the track to beat pacemaker Wayward Roc by a length.
Bold Ruler and Brent Barclay winning at Ascot Park – Photo Bruce Stewart
But not happy with just winning, the horse carried on under a tight hold for another lap before Barclay was able to point him in the direction of the birdcage.
“That’s him showing off.”
The Hunters and Bold Ruler's owners have had to be patient with the five year old which has a few tricks.
“He races a bit more kindly. He's not so revy out there and he’s quite nice to train now. He never used to be. Pull down blinds make a difference to him. They just sort of bluff him. I wouldn't play cards with him, he’d be quite good at it I’d imagine.”
Hunter also says he's a bit bossy around the stables and needs to be watched.
“I’ve got to be careful (with who he’s paddocked with) because he beats them up. He’s by himself at the moment because he beat up the last one.”
Bold Ruler was purchased at the 2013 Sale of the Stars for $19,000 when he was offered by Regal Lodge Stud. He's closely related to Bogan Fella.
His lifetime earnings are now over $25,000.
Later in the programme Rakarover owned by loyal stable client Brendon Fahy cleared maiden ranks when he beat the favourite The Night Hawk by a length. It was the three year old's first start in six weeks. Prior to today's win he'd run second twice and third four times.
Bruce Stewart
Southland Harness Racing