Talented sprinter scores second Great Southern win

Albany trainer Peter Western is bullish about the future prospects of highly talented sprinter Hostwin Pegasus after he blasted his way to a second win this campaign in Thursday’s Stirling Bulk Distributors Handicap (1100m) at Mt Barker Turf Club.

Formerly trained on the east coast by the Hawkes team and then here in WA by Lindsey Smith, Hostwin Pegasus has had just seven starts for Western and in that time chalked up two wins and a second placing after last week’s success.

After notching a third career win in Albany in January, the five-year-old finished close-up behind Seeker and Queen Tori in his next two starts before starting a $4 chance in the field of nine on Thursday.

Jockey Jason Whiting positioned the gelding in a perfect spot from gate two in running, peeling away from the fence on the home corner and then storming down the outside to comfortably score by 1 ¾ lengths over Kronstadt.

Western was upbeat about the way his galloper has returned this preparation.

“(Last start), it was on a heavy track and the 1230m was too far,” Western said. “With a hot pace like that, it suited him down to the ground and he’s going really good since he’s come from the east.

“He’s never been able to sit and wouldn’t settle properly, so we’ve put a special Norton bit on him and credit to Jason Hopperton, who is helping me teach him to settle.

“I think he’s got a fair bit of upside, this horse.”

That victory was the first leg of a Whiting double on the seven-race card after he urged consistent mare Canna Lily home in the Mt Barker Veterinary Hospital Handicap (1300m).

The six-year-old mare jumped a $2.10 favourite on the back of her last start third and settled midfield before Whiting shook her up in the concluding stages to prevail over Blizzard Express by a long head.

Trainer Neil Lee will back up the Blackfriars mare in Albany on Thursday, but was happy to have her back in winning form.

“Her form this year started off a bit slow but she has found that consistency again,” he said.

“That was as short as she wants to go; her best range is a mile but consistency pays off.

“She’s racing Thursday and has got 2kg more to carry.”