Sue Hunter Fab Weekend

July 24th, 2008 by Andrew Georgiou

Bad barriers proved to be no problem for trainer Sue Hunter after she collected two Group Ones in the space of 48 hours over the weekend.

First off, outstanding filly Kept For Pleasure overcame barrier 11 to win the Nevele R Stud Australian Oaks at Moonee Valley last Friday night, before Captain Joy secured the Watpac NSW Breeders Challenge at Menangle from the outside of the front line.

The latter, arguably, was the more impressive of the two, as he was forced to sit three-wide for a good portion of the 1609 metre trip at the new-look Menangle Park surface.

With plenty of speed up front, courtesy of Bathurst Gold Crown winner Emjayem Grand and tough juvenile Watch The Aces cutting at each other, Captain Joy's task was made even tougher.

Driver Robbie Byrnes, however, seemed extremely confident and rounding the home turn, shot his charge to the front.

The pair swept away from their rivals in emphatic fashion, stopping the clock in a mile rate of 1:54.8 - a new Australasian mark for two-year-olds over a mile!

"It was a wonderful effort," Hunter said.

"We always thought he would be in with a chance of winning but the barrier didn't help at all.

"He seemed to be travelling quite strongly in the run despite the fast quarters that the leaders were running.

"If that wasn't enough, Kept For Pleasure had to overcome her bad barrier as well to win the Oaks.

"She is a remarkable filly and this was a well deserved win."

Hunter, who primarily trains the powerful Sloys Company horses at Cobbitty in NSW, has only been involved in the game on this side of the Tasman for a short period.

Hailing from New Zealand, one of the standouts on her CV is being associated with the brilliant galloper, Our Maizcay.

Her Group One double, however, coupled with Miss Hazel's victory at Moonee Valley last Friday night, could prove hard to top in the future.

"It turned out to be a big weekend for the stable," she said.

"The team has done a lot of travelling recently and for the horses to be firing in the manner they are is terrific.

"I couldn't do it by myself though. I get plenty of help from Robert Xerri, Nathan Wilson, Daniella Benton and Kerryann Turner.

"They are a great help and without them, this wouldn't have been possible."

As for Captain Joy, he will be part of Hunter's team that will aim at the Breeders Crown semi-finals next month.

The son of Mach Three and good producer Lady Joy has shown remarkable improvement since his debut fifth at Harold Park on May 6.

Since then, he has won five of his seven starts.

An indication of things to come was when he broke his maiden in a heat of the Kevin Seymour Nursery series at Albion Park on May 20. Coming from a seemingly impossible position, he swept past his rivals to score a stunning victory.

He followed up that effort with a close second in the Final to Deadsetlucky.

"The improvement he has shown with racing is unbelievable," Hunter explained.

"We always thought he was going to be a nice horse but I think he is racing above our expectations now.

"He'll go to the Breeders Crown now and hopefully continue his good form."

Captain Joy is one of the very few horses in the Hunter stable not owned by the Sloys. The talented juvenile is owned by Marie Ross, with the pacer being a half-brother to another Group One winner in Another Joy.

There is a third foal, a rising two-year-old, out of the former good race mare named Master Joy, which is by boom sire Art Major.

As for Kept For Pleasure, she will remain in Victoria for the Breeders Crown, where a highly anticipated rematch with arch-nemesis Staccato is looming.

Staccato defeated Kept For Pleasure in last year's Crown Final and also in this year's Vicbred Sires' Final.

"She has pulled up well from her run at the Valley the other night and will be primed and ready for the Breeders," Hunter said.

As for Hunter, who has been working tirelessly in recent months, she is looking forward to the end of the season.

That will signal a well-earned break not only for her team, but for her also, with a trip to New Zealand for three weeks well and truly 'locked' in.

"I was really looking forward to the holiday but now, with the team going so well, I may have second thoughts," she joked.

"In all seriousness, it will be a good break and I'm looking forward to going back home to catch up with family and friends."