Former top pacing prospect Star Hunter won at his first start back in almost three years at Cranbourne on Tuesday night to complete a masterful training performance from leading mentor Jayne Davies.
Star Hunter last raced in August 2019, but despite the lengthy lay-off, the now five-year-old was sent out a $1.45 favourite for the 2080m event and won impressively by 5.4m.
“It’s very satisfying,” said a delighted Davies.
“A lovely horse like him makes it even more rewarding because he is such a beautiful animal. He’s easy to work with and just a magnificent pacer – just so smooth – and he’s got ability, so to get him back is a real thrill.”
Star Hunter made the Group 1 Australian Pacing Gold final at his fourth career start and reached the Breeders Crown final for colts and geldings later in his two-year-old season. However, a recurrent pedal bone injury would cost the prospect the next three years of his career.
“He fractured a pedal bone, so we went through the routine of locking him up for three months, then giving him three months in the paddock,” Davies said.
“We brought him back and got him to three-quarter pace and he did it again – not exactly in the same spot as before but close – so we went through the same routine again and the same thing happened. We got him to three-quarter pace and went sore again.
“We had to make a decision – do we retire him or give him one more crack? We decided to (have another crack), so we gelded him and this time we put him out for 12 months at (co-owner) John McLeish’s place. He’s got a cattle farm, so we let him run around free as a bird and just be a horse.”
Star Hunter’s return to the training environment coincided with Davies’ move to the Cranbourne Training Centre. The facilities at the centre have played a key role in preparing him for his racing return while managing his injury.
“We brought him back and we moved into the training centre here which has been a benefit to him because we’ve got the treadmill and the bungee pool which he does most of his work on,” Davies said.
“His work has been really good – he’d only had the one trial where he ran second and went to the line hard held – so we thought we could either trial or put him in the race. Him being such a low class at this stage, we thought we may as well race him.
“James (Herbertson) drove him a treat – came from the back row and ended up in a good position.”
Davies is hopeful that Star Hunter can eventually return to the sort of form that saw him compete at the sport’s highest levels, but in the short term will take it week to week.
“He’s just a lovely horse, a beautiful type. It’s just good to get him back,” she said.
“I picked him out at the sales – from the moment I saw him I loved him, and I said ‘I’ve got to have this horse’. Big thickset sort of thing, big backside, looks strong.
“He has a bit of personality; he tests you sometimes, but he’s lovely.”