On a beautiful summer’s day at Bunbury Turf Club, race favourite Time to Hunt ($2.35) took out the $19,000 Poppy Jones Handicap.
The bay gelding was on a roll after winning the 1675-metre Bunbury Plumbing Services Handicap last week.
Part of an impressive field of nine, Time to Hunt – led by rider Jarrad Noske – quickly moved to fourth after leaving the barrier.
He then moved up on the home straight, as the crowd roared with excitement.
Time to Hunt made it look easy, crossing the line a full two-and-a-half lengths in front of New Zealand bay mare Send My Love.
In first place past the final turn, bay gelding Summit Trail lost his momentum on the straight before finishing fifth.
Guided by rider Clint Johnston-Porter, Jason Miller-trained Do A Pataky ($5.50) pulled off a miraculous effort to claim the 1690m South West Cellars Maiden.
Bay gelding Oathkeeper surprised punters by moving out in front, and holding his position past the 800m mark and the turn.
Taking a chance, Do A Pataky moved from sixth at the turn and into first.
Miller and Johnston-Porter celebrated as Do A Pataky crossed one-and-a-quarter lengths ahead of Lucy Warwick-led chestnut mare Sassy ‘N’ Red.
Rider William Pike and bay gelding Stafford’s Lad ($5.50) recovered from a slow start to claim the $19,000 RDA – South West Handicap.
Stafford’s Lad excelled throughout the race, moving up from seventh at the turn to finish one-and-three-quarter lengths ahead of Golden Bonney.
Pike later made it a double, leading bay mare Love Trade ($9.50) to victory in the 1208m Bunbury Blind Gallery and Ultrasonic Cleaning Handicap.
Mainline Plumbing Handicap winner Tawny Pete fell back to third on the straight, before Love Trade narrowly beat out second-placed Tarakiato.
The $16,500 Parks Tavern and Restaurant Maiden saw rider Steven Parnham and Bombardment ($7.50) lead from the outset, winning by a length over kiwi bay gelding Savuno.
Bunbury Turf Club will hold its next race meeting on Wednesday, January 16.
Punters will then gather for another action-packed day of racing on Monday, January 28.
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