Mortlock searching for success in a very special Gunbower Cup

Tim Mortlock and Double The Hunter will be looking to celebrate the 100-year anniversary of the Gunbower Harness Racing Club in style this Sunday.

Mortlock’s five-year-old has a record of only nine wins from 62 starts, but the Carisbrook trainer says his gelding is hitting his straps ahead of the $14,000 Brereton Family Centenary Pacers Cup.

“I think he will be better for his run at Swan Hill where he ran fourth,” Mortlock said. “He ran fourth in the Tamworth Cup and I think he will be much better at Gunbower.”

Double The Hunter’s greatest success to date is a win in the 2023 edition of the Ouyen Cup, but the pacer had to wait an agonising 10 months for his next success which came at Maryborough on January 15.

Sunday’s pacing feature will be over 2630m, a significant step-up in distance that Mortlock expects to suit his charge.

“I think he will be better over the distance… The distance actually suits him,” he said.

“He’s not much of a speed horse, but he can run even quarters.”

Double The Hunter has drawn three for Sunday’s feature with Jackie Barker booked to drive the gelding.

The 51-year-old Mortlock is optimistic the front-row draw gives his boy plenty of options when the gates release the field.

“I would have loved to have drawn one or two, but it’s not a terrible draw,” he said. “Hopefully we can get into the running line and get some cover.”

The option to cross the Danny Curran-trained Harry Hoo (one) and the Greg Norman-trained Stag Party (two) isn’t out of the equation.

“We will have a go at it (to lead), we will see what happens. If we lead, we lead. If we get to the death, hopefully we get cover,” he said.

The squaregaiting feature of the afternoon is the Saveourbacon.com.au Gunbower Centenary Trotters Cup.

Trainer-driver Brett Shipway has pole position (one) for the $14,000 event for trotters with Black And Gold, while Chris Alford will drive Grumpee (seven) for wife Alison.

Collingwood premiership player Mick McGuane will be in attendance to host a marquee throughout the day, while Daryl Poxon has compiled a book detailing the history of the club and it will be unveiled as part of the centenary celebrations.
 

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