Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Tender care from Oakford trainer Jemma Hayman has enabled Chilli Punter to recover from hoof soreness, and the New South Wales-bred mare bounced back to form with an excellent win in the $30,000 Cleversure Smart Insurance Pace over 2130m at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Chilli Punter, a $7.90 chance from barrier three, was caught in the breeze in the early stages as the $2.30 favourite Our Sandy Shore was leading after an early tussle with $126 outsider Minor Catastrophe.
But when Jaxs Ideal ($15) surged forward to move to the breeze after 550m Kyle Symington was able to give Chilli Punter a perfect sit in the one-out, one-back position. Chilli Punter was switched three wide 220m from home and she took the lead 60m from the post before winning by a half-length from Dame Valour ($17), with $19 chance Pushbutton Rock running on from eighth at the bell to snatch third place from the wilting Our Sandy Shore.
A week earlier Chilli Punter began badly and finished last in a standing-start event, and after the race it was discovered that she was suffering from hoof soreness.
“There was a bit of bruising, and we have been able to recover from the soreness,” said Hayman.
Chilli Punter, a four-year-old by Betting Line and the second foal out of Rocknroll Hanover mare Habanero, has been a consistent performer who has earned $125,605 from ten wins and 17 placings from 44 starts.
Hayman maintained her good form at Narrogin on Saturday night when five-year-old gelding Your Grace, a $8.90 chance driven by Kyle Harper, finished strongly to win over 1823m, beating the odds-on favourite Shes A Tiny Dancer by a length.