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Kronstadt surges into provincial championship final

Headshot of Cameron Newbold
Cameron NewboldAlbany Advertiser

Rising galloper Kronstadt will head straight to the final of the Skyracing.Tv Provincial Championship after a sizzling win in the rescheduled Mt Barker heat of the WA series at Percy Spencer Racecourse last Thursday.

After jumping from barrier eight, local apprentice jockey Casey Hunter elected to press forward with Kronstadt who was pulling in the early stages and the tactical move paid dividends.

The pair skipped well clear as they cornered for home and the five-year-old gelding responded brilliantly in the home straight as he dug deep for Hunter who powered him to the line, beating Naturaliste comfortably by 2¾ lengths.

Trainer Roy Rogers said after his impressive win, the rising sprinter can now head to the $60,000 Skyracing.Tv Provincial Championship Final (1400m) at Belmont Park on May 27.

“He will go into that final now,” Rogers said.

“He goes well fresh so we’ll keep him sharp for that.

“That was 1230m today but he’s showed he can win over further than 1100m, so that’s also a positive.”

Apprentice Casey Hunter returns to scale after winning the Skyracing.Tv Provincial Championship Series Heat (1230m) with Kronstadt.
Camera IconApprentice Casey Hunter returns to scale after winning the Skyracing.Tv Provincial Championship Series Heat (1230m) with Kronstadt. Credit: Albany Advertiser

Rogers was quick to praise Hunter for her smart tactics early in the race.

“Casey has a real knack with the horse and doesn’t seem to panic with him,” he said.

“He is a big, strong bugger so all credit to her for taking off.

“There was no pace on up front so she rolled to the front and kept going. It’s good when the kids make a decision.”

Kronstadt, now with his fourth trainer after stints with Tiarnna Robertson, Vaughn Sigley and Des Attwell, has combined with Hunter for three victories after success in Mt Barker and Esperance earlier this season.

The result was the second leg of a winning treble for Rogers after stayer Ready To Fire also won, lifting him to 14 wins for the Great Southern season.

Rogers is now a clear second in the standings and sits two wins behind leader Steve Wolfe after he enjoyed a promising double with talented youngsters Captivated Point and One Short on the 10-race card.

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