Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
New Zealand-bred seven-year-old Hampton Banner broke through for an overdue win when he made the most of the No. 1 barrier by setting the pace and holding on to win the 2130m Trotsynd Syndication Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
He was the $1.90 favourite, and his victory by a half neck over The Miki Taker ($6) ended a losing sequence of 27, stretching back to his half-head win over Wildwest on November 18, 2022.
“Hampton Banner has run some pretty good races in between wins,” said champion reinsman Chris Lewis. “His previous start (fourth behind Jumpingjackmac) was good, coming from behind.”
Hampton Banner, a winner at three of his ten New Zealand starts, has a good WA record of 59 starts for trainer Debra Lewis for 12 wins and 14 placings. He has earned $283,639 from 15 wins and 15 placings from 69 starts.
The Miki Taker raced in the breeze all the way and fought on tenaciously to finish a close second, just a head in front of the $2.90 second fancy Lusaka, who trailed The Miki Taker in the one-out, one-back position and ran home solidly, with the final 400m sections being covered in 28sec. and 27.5sec. The winner rated 1.55.8.