Ken Casellas | Photo: Hamilton Content Creators
Hampton Banner, one of the State’s fastest pacers, reappeared after a spell in dashing style at Gloucester Park on Friday night when he proved too speedy for his six rivals in the $23,750 Hoist Solutions Conditioned Pace.
The New Zealand-bred five-year-old, whose career was in serious jeopardy in April 2020 when he fractured his nearside hind leg, was the $2.60 second fancy when he began fast from the No. 4 barrier and set a brisk pace before winning comfortably from Jaspervellabeach ($26) and the $2.15 favourite Plutonium.
Hampton Banner, prepared by Hopeland trainer Debra Lewis and driven by her husband Chris, sprinted over the final 800m in 56sec. and rated 1.56.6 over the 2130m journey. It was a dominant performance which was a clear indication that he should become a leading contender for the rich Fremantle and WA Pacing Cups in January.
“He comes out and accelerates,” said Lewis. “I think he will develop into a Cups horse. We have had a few issues over the time, and they have all seemed to have settled down. He has overcome these problems and seems very sound at the moment. He has gone good time first-up and I’m pretty happy with him.”
After finishing sixth behind Patronus Star in the WA Derby in April 2020 it was discovered that Hampton Banner had fractured a hind leg. An MRI examination revealed a stress fracture in the nearside fetlock. The gelding underwent surgery when a screw was inserted.
Some months later the screw became loose, and he had to have another operation. This was followed by a third surgery when Hampton Banner was suffering from an infection in the joint.
Hampton Banner, who is by Bettors Delight, has had 32 starts for 12 wins and five seconds for earnings of $158,088. He won at three of his ten starts in New Zealand and his 22 WA starts have produced nine wins and four second placings.