Rain puts a damper on Bolt From the Blue

ATHERTON trainer Bruce Hunter does not know what to expect as he looks over the field of tomorrow’s Benchmark 65 race in Innisfail.

‘‘At the moment there are 11 horses in the field and I could see any of them winning it,’’ Hunter said early yesterday morning.

‘‘ It’s just that kind of a race. There are plenty of quality horses in there.’’

He is training one of those quality thoroughbreds – five-year-old gelding Bolt From the Blue.

Bought for just $5000 after a disappointing start to his career in southeast Queensland, Bolt from the Blue has been a decent money-spinner since moving north.

The undersized sprinter has picked up more than $55,000 in prizemoney with a style that has made him a favourite of Hunters.

‘‘He’s a little bulldog; he just never stops,’’ he said.

‘‘But (tomorrow) will be a little different because it’s going to be very heavy down there (in Innisfail) with the amount of rain they’ve had.

‘‘He’s never raced on anything that heavy before.’’

The heaviness of the track and some of the horses will also level the field, with several of the top contenders carrying big weights into the contest.

Classy Fred Wieland sprinter Stieg, Jenny Ball’s Master Danny and Ralph Baker’s Lyndi’s Gift were all given weights of more than 60kg by the handicapper.

Hunter said he would not be surprised to see Lil’ Red Monkey, who won in Innisfail last star, in the thick of it at the finish line.

‘‘He’s not carrying much weight ( 55kg) and he’s always tough to beat,’’ he said.