Pennies Galore sizzles to Albany victory to continue trainer Paul Hunter’s fruitful Great Southern season

Albany trainer Paul Hunter continued his strong Great Southern season after a dominant display from Pennies Galore last week. Pennies Galore coasted to a 2.2-length victory over 1240m at Percy Spencer Racecourse on Thursday, to hand Hunter his eighth winner of 2023-24 in the Great Southern. Backed into a $2.50 favourite, Pennies Galore was sent forward by Jason Whiting from the wide gate and dictated terms out in front. The four-year-old had been runner-up at her past two starts but burst clear in the home straight to post a dominant victory over Flying South ($7.50). Hunter is third in the Great Southern trainer of the year standings, behind Rebecca Bayliss (nine wins) and leader Steve Wolfe (19). Bayliss was successful at last week’s seven-race card after stable acquisition Frantic War made it back-to-back wins. Frantic War stepped up in class but jumped a $2.40 favourite and charged home from fourth on the turn to win race five over 1100m. Jockey Madi Derrick urged the former Michael Lane-trained gelding home in the concluding stages, getting over the top of leader Prince Ragnar to win by a head. Albany jockey Natasha Faithfull moved clear on top of the Great Southern leading senior rider standings, after scoring a winning double. Faithfull was aboard the Alan Smith-trained Morgs Freeman which won race three over 1240m. Morgs Freeman ($2.70) was far too strong for Catch These Hands ($3.80) and Kohli ($3.90) in the final 200m. Earlier Faithfull guided Who’s Me Daddy to victory in the opening event of the day at decent odds of $17. Trained by Misty Bazeley, Who’s Me Daddy settled last of the six runners but finally broke his maiden status at his 22nd attempt after sprinting home to beat Belle Noire by nearly one length. Faithfull has 17 wins to her name to be well clear of Kyra Yuill (10) and Whiting (six). Hoop Michal Poy finished with a winning double after he booted home Secret She Keeps and Bring The Bling. Hoolahoops made it two wins this campaign for Wagin trainer Angela Smith after winning the last race over 1940m by a long neck over Smith’s Oddoneout. Derrick copped a 10-day careless riding suspension for allowing Frantic War to shift outwards near the 200m in race five. Apprentice Zephen Johnston-Porter who rode Hoolahoops to victory, was reprimanded for careless riding in race one.