Hunter hopes to add to home success

Albany hoop Casey Hunter is confident she can land more winners on her home turf this season as she prepares for a strong book of six rides at Percy Spencer Racecourse tomorrow.

The daughter of local trainer Paul Hunter is based at the Karnup stables of Grant and Alana Williams and has been a senior jockey for a little over six months. She has ridden eight winners this season, including a double at Albany’s first meeting on November 18.

Hunter will team up with her father in three races, aboard maiden pair Big Summer and Blue By You and last-start winner Prince Friar while also taking three rides for Albany trainer Roy Rogers.

“I’ve probably got a couple of chances, it would be nice to carry that form on a little bit,” Hunter said. “Prince Friar and Blue By You, they’re my best two but both haven’t drawn a gate.

“His first-up and second-up runs (Prince Friar) were both really good, he’s pretty versatile and I think it’s a winnable race on Friday.

Blue By You is pretty inexperienced, didn’t draw a gate last start and hasn’t again but she’s a nice- looking horse and Dad said she has been working well so I think a she’s got some ability.”

Blue By You has drawn gate 10 in the TabTouch Better Your Bet Maiden (1230m) after running sixth to Classic Jack on debut.

Hunter was aboard Prince Friar in Albany last start when the seven-year-old beat Gauged by half a length, they will jump from barrier seven in the T-Quip Handicap (1600m) tomorrow.

Leading jockeys Shaun McGruddy and Mitchell Pateman will both not ride in Albany at the third meeting of the season, with the seven-race card beginning at 1.50pm and the rail is out 3m.

Meanwhile on, day two of the Masters Carnival at Ascot on Saturday, three Great Southern gallopers will compete in the $100,000 TabTouch Regional Championship: The Road To Ascot final (1200m).

Captivated Point (Steve Wolfe), Count Kala (Alan McNamara Jr) and Force Element (Dixie Solly) are among the final field of 15 and Wolfe’s Jester Ferrari is listed as fourth emergency.

Count Kala won the Great Southern heat of the championships and has gate six, with Lisa Staples retaining the mount.

Cameron Newbold’s Albany selections

Race 1: Amber Highway

Race 2: Long Knife Brother

Race 3: Final Edition

Race 4: Arrum Boy

Race 5: Prince Friar

Race 6: Ionyx

Race 7: Jenabel