Trainer Jason Miller, a member of WA’s best-known racing family, rates Fair Hunter ‘one of the toughest horses he has ever seen.’
Fair Hunter, by the rapidly-developing Trade Fair and a star of the Belmont Park season, made it five middle distance wins in succession when taking the Westspeed Stayers’ Bonus Handicap (2100m) on Saturday (August 25) as a $1.65 favourite.
He carried 59kg topweight and beat the rejuvenated The Corporation, who had 4.5kg less, by a nose.
“Fair Hunter had to dig deep under the big weight,” said Miller. “But that’s the way he likes it.
“He likes a dog fight. He likes winning. He likes hitting the line.
As long as I’ve been around horses he’s one of the toughest I’ve ever seen. And he shows that in his races.
“We’ll look at giving him another run in two weeks. Then win, lose or draw he’ll go out for a six week spell.”
Fair Hunter was bred by Bernard Herrera, of Bullsbrook, from a maternal line established by the late John Roberts, a former chairman of the Western Australian Turf Club.
Mr Roberts imported the Group 3 winner Pert Lassie, Fair Hunter’s third dam, from England. Her seven winners were headed by the Group 2 Karrakatta Plate winner Cheeky Trot.