Huntaway eyes two from two

IMPRESSIVE debut winner Huntaway has thrived ahead of tomorrow’s graduation final at Ascot Park.

The Brent McIntyretrained 5yrold will try to make it two wins from two against a classy lineup of progressive pacers.

Huntaway created a big impression when producing a swooping finish to win his first start at Winton last month.

McIntyre said the pacer had thrived since that run.

‘‘He came through it very well; leading into this race he has worked very well.

‘‘He feels a million dollars, but whether than translates into the race, I am not sure.’’

He said Huntaway was a raw product with plenty to learn about racing.

‘‘We have never really asked him to run — we have never screwed him down.

‘‘He would really get on the job when we used to work him, but he is starting to relax now.’’

Huntaway won from barrier 15 at Winton and will again start from a wide draw tomorrow when lining up from the outside of the front line.

The pacer relished the fast pace of his last start and McIntyre hopes there will be a decent tempo again tomorrow.

‘‘Absolutely, that is exactly what we want. He has got a high cruising and he likes a hot pace.’’

Huntaway is not the only horse to come into the race after winning impressively on debut.

Burlington also created a big impression when he won his first start at Gore last month. The Brent Whitetrained pacer bolted in by four lengths on the Gore grass track.

Stephen Boydtrained filly Dixie Star scored by an even bigger margin in her first start at Winton last month, winning by an impressive five and ahalf lengths over a mile (1609m).

Dixie Star and Burlington both look to have a draw advantage over Huntaway. Dixie Star will start from two spots inside him in barrier 6, while Burlington is drawn in barrier 2 on the second row behind roughie Surazal.

Dixie Star will be driven by visiting northern reinsman David Butcher, as previous reinsman Craig Thornley is driving at Addington tomorrow.

Butcher drives Dametoro in race 2 and Back In Black in race 8 for Boyd, as well as Tad Lincoln in race 3 for trainer Adrian Wohlers and Razcal Alley in race 10 for trainer Doug McLachlan.