Punter Perth-bound

By Adam Hamilton

Former Kiwi star Ohoka Punter heads to his new stable in winning form.

The much-travelled seven-year-old worked to the lead early and impressively won yesterday’s (Sunday) Group 3 Maryborough Cup (2690m) at his last run for young trainer Nathan Purdon.

News broke last week that connections had agreed on a switch to champion WA trainer Gary Hall Sr for Ohoka Punter’s Perth Inter Dominion campaign.

“I was asked to train him and was told Nathan (Purdon) didn’t want to spend a month in Perth with the horse at a time when he’s trying to establish himself in Victoria,” Hall Sr said.

It seems Purdon made that decision after learning Anthony Butt had been chosen to replace him as Ohoka Punter’s driver.

Butt took the reins yesterday and had an armchair ride after finding the lead without too much fuss after 300m and cruising through a 61.7sec middle half.

The heat went on down the back straight with main danger Yankee Rockstar at his wheel and Chilli Palmer three-wide in a 27.5sec split.

But Ohoka Punter was cruising on the home bend and kicked clear to win by 6.3m in a 28.1sec last quarter and 1min58.1sec mile rate.

Young Modern charged late for second with dual Inter Dominion placegetter Flaming Flutter third.

Yankee Rockstar, first-up after some hoof issues, weakened late but still ran a sound race in sixth spot, just 7.7m from the winner.

Hall Sr said it was likely Ohoka Punter would be flown to Perth early next week.

“He’s a great horse to have join the stable,” he said. “I’m keen to get him here in time to settle him into to our training routine.”

Hall Sr said the plan and “hope” was that his son, Gary Jr, would be able to drive both Ohoka Punter and current stable star Beaudiene Boaz through the Inter Dominion heats and then choose if both made the final as expected.

“You’d like to think they would be kept apart in the heats,” he said.

Beaudiene Boaz pleased Hall Sr with a fighting fourth after sitting parked in quick time behind Libertybelle Midfrew at Gloucester Park last Friday night.

“I think I’ve got him back where I want him now,” he said. “He broke that track record a few runs back and has held his form well from bad draws since. It’s all about draws in the fast-class races at Gloucester Park.”

Hall Sr is also buzzing about the pint-sized Chicago Bull in the countdown to the triple crown of 4YO features during the Inter Dominion carnival.

“He’s a special. I know Gaz (Gary Jr) thinks he’s better than Beaudiene Boaz was at the same time,” he said.

“I agree. I think he’s the best four-year-old we’ve had, although it’s hard to believe when you see him because he’s so embarrassingly small.”