Ever-reliable five-year-old The Pres-Galleons Conspiracy mare Christmas Babe broke through for a well-deserved victory in the Sandhurst Stockfeeds Trotters Handicap (2150m) at Bendigo on Wednesday.
The result signalled a welcome return to the winner’s circle for former leviathan owner Alan Hunter, who raced numerous top-class pacers during the Moonee Valley era. These included Inter Dominion winner My Lightning Blue and Quite Famous - who were both multiple cup winners - along with Parading.
Trained at Heathcote by Jim O’Sullivan and raced in partnership with wife Teresa and daughter Shannon, Christmas Babe showed her usual impeccable manners by jumping straight to the front from the standing start. After being rated to perfection, the horse defied all challengers to record a 1.4m success over Whos Countn, who trailed from barrier two. Senitas Strength (four back the markers) finished fast out wide for third.
Hunter and Jim O’Sullivan were once a formidable combination, with Alan declared “Owner of the Year” a number of times.