Titan Banner became the first Otago trained horse to win the Hannon Memorial for over thirty years, when he won the time honoured race yesterday at Oamaru for harness racing trainer Graeme Anderson.
In the hands of driver Dexter Dunn, Titan Banner was hunted up early to trail second favourite Seel The Deal, who led from the start and kept up a strong pace.
Turning for home Titan Banner ultilized the passing lane to lead at the 100m marker, before holding off the fast finish of his stablemate New Years Jay to win by short margin.
The Art Major gelding stopped the clock at 3-16.8 for the 2600m stand, with a quick 54.9 for the last 800m and home in 27.0 seconds flat for the last 400m.
New Years Jay was superb in second running her last 800m an unbelievable 53.9 seconds to run the winner to a neck at the line.
Dexter Dunn grabbed another two wins on the day when he was successful with both Debnita Rose and Michelangelo.
Debnita Rose ran a fast mile rate of 1-57.4 when leading all the way for Dunn to win her first race against a strong maiden field. Debnita Rose upset the warm favourite Tuapeka Trick who made up ten lengths in the straight when running third for driver John Dunn.
Michelangelo sat parked in his win and was simply too fast for the opposition running home a quick last half in 55.4 seconds to beat Run Boy Run who had tried to lead all the way.
Titan Banner winning the Hannon Memorial
Harnesslink Media