Bunker busts a move for Durrant

New stable acquisition Bunker Buster will contest next month’s $70,000 Esperance Cup (2000m) after a slashing victory in Adam Durrant colours for the first time on Sunday at Percy Spencer Racecourse.

Transferred to Durrant’s stables after trainer Frank Maynard was suspended for 18 months in January, Bunker Buster made it three wins his past three starts, unleashing a powerful sprint home in the Albany Stock Feeds Handicap (1600m).

The talented four-year-old had 37 days between runs since winning for Maynard in Esperance over 2000m on January 4 but produced a big finish for rider Jordan Turner to grab leader Chasing Chaos in the final 100m and win by ¾ of a length after turning for home in ninth spot.

The former Eastern States galloper has now won four of his 19 starts and the Durrant team confirmed he will be primed for the Esperance Cup on March 3.

Albany trainer Peter Western was delighted to have Everasready return to form on Sunday, the sprinter threading his way through traffic in the home straight to win for jockey Jason Whiting.

Everasready, a $27 chance on the tote, settled midfield and weaved through a gap in the closing stages to prevail over Deheune by a short half-head while leader Ellens Choice was brave to run third.

“His last start over 1230m he just died on his run late,” Western said.

“He has been very frustrating, ever since we’ve had him he’s shown so much and Jason is starting to get on top of him.”

Western confirmed that classy sprinter Caipirinha, who had been sent to his stable for the postponed Mungrup Stud Sprint, was officially retired and sent to stud without having a Great Southern start.

The final race on the nine-race card was the tightest of a competitive day of racing, after a dead heat between Its Not Trading and Messiah.