Our Spunky Monkey might not be the best gaited horse to land in Chris Howlett's stables at Broadmarsh but with two wins at his past two starts the harness racing gelding looks certain to pay his way this preparation.
The former Victorian gelding's latest win came at UBET Park Hobart last night where he led throughout to easily win the Sutter Hanover Pace over 2090 metres
Howlett said Our Spunky Monkey was purchased for a modest sum about a year ago as a horse that his sons, Braden, Matthew and Justin could "mess about with and try and win a few races".
"My son Braden was talking to Alex Ashwood who suggested this horse might be worth buying so we took the punt and so far it is working out fine," Howlett said.
"He went fairly well at his first few starts for us but he developed a slight tendon problem so we just gave him six months off and he's come back better than ever."
Our Spunky Monkey began his career in New Zealand where he won a race at Reefton and placed at Nelson before finding his way to Amanda Turnbull's stables in New South Wales.
He won at his first start for Turnbull at Dubbo before making his way to Victoria.
"He is a nice little horse that doesn't do too much wrong and he possesses good gate speed so that's going to help him while he's racing in the lower grades," he said.
Peter Staples