Henley Brook trainer-reinsman Robbie Williams sighed with relief after guiding $1.80 favourite Opal Hunter to victory in the Happy 60TH Birthday Heather Sue Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
“We were lucky,” he said. “We avoided two or three collisions, and most of the drivers did well to get out of the way. There were three incidents, and I was in the thick of it and lucky to dodge them all.”
Opal Hunter was having his fourth start after a lengthy absence as he recovered from a tendon injury, and he impressed with his convincing win over $151 outsider Pocket The Change and the pacemaker Loch Tay ($9). He finished strongly from sixth at the bell.
“He is very talented but has had 17 months away from the races and has had only a few runs in low company,” said Williams. “So, we have been pushing it uphill and are probably a fraction late to get a start in the Golden Nugget.
“We might run out of time. But we will have a crack and give him a chance in a Nugget prelude next Friday.”
Opal Hunter has won at three of his four starts in his current campaign, improving his record to 18 starts for eight wins, two placings and $52,96. He was purchased for $27,500 at the 2022 Perth APG yearling sale and is raced by a syndicate of 13.
He is by American sire Control The Moment and is out of Betshes Precious, who earned $66,366 from nine wins in minor events and 16 placings.
Opal Hunter is a full-brother to Lord Titanium (66 starts for seven wins, 23 [placings and $118,319) and his younger half-sister Ruby Lou has had 39 starts for six wins, nine placings and $106,625.
