Tough-as-teak galloper Astunner had his mettle tested at Holbrook on Saturday but came out on top in the feature race.
Trained by Darrell Burnett in Wagga, the 6YO Xtravagant gelding has been up for three weekends in a row and started his Country Cup run with a good second for jockey Carly Frater to Copperfield in the Tumbarumba Cup on January 31.
Blaike McDougall then rode him to victory in the Tumut Cup on February 7, where he was a class above his rivals, beating runner-up Gustav by more than a length.
In Saturday’s Holbrook Cup, Frater was back in the saddle, and the Wagga galloper took on Copperfield, along with other accomplished gallopers.
Still, it was a ‘painless watch’ for Burnet as Astunner ($4.20) got the job done in the $15,000 feature, holding off the fast-finishing Grey Lad ($3.20) and Kahawaty ($8), who finished second and third, respectively.
“I was confident about Tumut, but I didn’t know what to expect today as it was his third run in three weeks,” Burnet told Country Punter.
“I didn’t really have to worry about much; it was a pretty painless watch.
“They were coming at him late, and in the last 100m, he probably felt the pinch because of his recent racing, but he was tough and wanted it.”
It’s been an outstanding training effort to have Astunner up and winning back-to-back Country Cups.
“I find when they are up and racing, they are actually easier to train,” Burnet said.
“He spends a few days down at the river and a few days in the paddock and rarely goes around the track and just seems to thrive off it.”
A well-earned spell is on the cards, with Burnet already looking ahead to other country feature races for the Corcoran family raced gelding.
“There’s the Carrathool Cup, Towong Cup, 1300m Ladies Day Cup at Wagga and Defence Force Cup at Queanbeyan, which he won two years ago,” Burnet said.
“All those second-tier open handicaps will be our target.”
On a good day at Holbrook, which hosted a mammoth crowd for their annual meeting, there was something for everyone, and Burnet was quick to praise the hard-working committee.
“I don’t personally know anyone on the Holbrook committee, but well done to them,” he said.
“My daughter has had a great day. There are pony rides and kids’ activities, and a good crowd.
“You can tell they have really worked hard to keep their track in good order in what have been testing conditions, so thanks to them, it has been a great day.
On track, Carly Frater landed a double, and adding to her Holbrook Cup win aboard Astunner, she guided the Trevor McIlrick-trained Supreme Honours ($9) to victory in the 800m Maiden Plate.
Wangaratta trainer Andrew Dale won training honours, landing a winning double as Tuscan War (Zoe Waller, $4.20) won the 1100m Maiden Handicap and Densetsu (Brad Vale, $6) prevailed in the 1100m Benchmark 50 Ladies Bracelet.
