Stone back on the winners list with De Andes

Apprentice jockey Tayla Stone returned to the winner’s circle after recovering from a nasty fall last month, guiding home consistent sprinter De Andes at Percy Spencer Racecourse last Thursday.

Stone fell badly from Kayelmar in Pinjarra on February 15 but at her second meeting back from a small lung puncture, she booted home De Andes for Ruabon trainer Mark Wright in the Aqua Ice Handicap (1100m).

De Andes jumped an $8 chance on the tote and sat just off the leader Bindaree Lady in transit before Stone peeled out and speared through the centre of the track to defeat Naturaliste by a head, while Bindaree Lady hung on for third.

The seven-year-old grey has won four of eight starts over 1100m and jumped up in grade after a second placing behind Queen Tori in Albany last start.

Meanwhile, Albany trainer Paul Hunter notched a winning double on the big nine-race program to leap into second place on the Great Southern trainers’ premiership standings.

Hunter was successful with promising stayer Powercraft in race 3 as he shot home over 1930m to make it a second win since joining the Hunter stable earlier this season. “He was unlucky the start before, he got flattened in the straight,” Hunter said.

“It was a good win down on the minimum, down in the weights he’s pretty competitive. We’ll nominate him for the (Mt) Barker Cup and see if he gets a run.”

Sunset Pete then made it a Hunter double after hoop Lucy Warwick booted the four-year-old over the top of his rivals late to win the USG Boral Handicap (1230m).

Talented youngster Levonas ran second to Sunset Pete but was found to have bled from both nostrils during the race and has been stood down for three months.

Hunter moved to eight wins in the Great Southern this season but is now second behind Steve Wolfe, who has 19 victories to his name.

Wolfe scored a double with Mongolian Warlord and Poldark’s Girl late in Thursday’s card.

Earlier, Bunbury trainer Holly Locke scored a winner with her sole runner, Arfa Chance, making use of gate one to break his maiden status as just his third start.