Casey Hunter scores second win as trainer, doubles to Rogers, Faithfull and Weinert stables on Plate Day

On a day where jockeys of past and present were celebrated, Albany jockey and now trainer Casey Hunter claimed a second win since becoming dual licensed. Hunter was all smiles on Sunday on her home turf after guiding Outlaw Music to a superb win on Fitzpatrick Plate day. Albany trainers Samantha Faithfull, Roy Rogers and Indianna Weinert all finished with winning doubles across the nine-race card at Percy Spencer Racecourse. While visiting trainer Adam Durrant and top WA hoop William Pike took the spoils in the $125,000 feature race, the win from the Hunter stable had plenty smiling. Outlaw Music jumped a $10 chance in the TABtouch Honouring Jockeys Past And Present Handicap (1230m) with Hunter aboard. The five-year-old gelding went straight to the front from barrier one and never looked back, Hunter driving him to the line to beat off Cruise To Rio ($4), who lumped 61kg, by a length on the line. It was Hunter’s second win as a trainer, following on from her first success with Four Seas last season. Her father Paul Hunter made it a winning day for the family with Lovin’ On Me leading from start to finish to claim the Celebrating The Life Of Ray Oliver Maiden (1100m) with Holly Watson in the saddle. Rogers saddled up former Grant and Alana Williams-trained galloper Capricious Ruler ($17) to take out the Celebrating The Life Of Jason Oliver Maiden (1500m), ridden well in front by Amy Jo Hayes. The four-year-old mare held off the Steve Wolfe duo of Tango Rhythm ($3.90) and Sea Of Galilee ($6) in the home straight. Rogers made it a double later on as Head’em charged home at $16 to gobble up Vomo Island ($5) in the final 200m and claim victory in the Celebrating The Life Of Frank Treen Handicap (1230m) for jockey Lucy Fiore. Nailed’em was a dominant 2.2-length winner for Samantha Faithfull and her daughter and leading Great Southern rider Tash Faithfull. The Celebrating The Life Of Jimmy Lemon Maiden (1100m) was dictated to by Nailed’em ($3.80) who cruised along in front and broke through at just his second career start. The Faithfull-prepared Sir Bear A Lot produced arguably the best win of the day, sitting near last in running before swooping late to salute in the Celebrating The Life Of Craig Wake Handicap (1600m). The Faithfulls nearly made it a treble with Wineaclocksumwhere producing a gallant third in the Fitzpatrick Plate. Mister Popcorn and Imposing Brook continued Weinert’s brilliant season to date. Starting a $2.50 favourite in the Celebrating The Life Of Glen Simpson Handicap (1900m), Mister Popcorn appears on the cups path after demolishing his rivals by more than two lengths after leading from start to finish for Brandon Louis. Louis had Imposing Brook ($11) in a perfect spot on the speed in the final race over 1500m, as the pair wore down Rogers’ Gingerquest to win by a half-head on the line. In the stewards room apprentice Chanel Cooper was fined $300 for failing to ride out her mount Sanctions to the end of race six.