Hampton Banner, inner, has a nose on Dr Susan, centre, with On A Roll a further nose away third. PHOTO: Peter Rubery/Race Images.
Owners get hole-in-one thrill as rapidly improving Hampton Banner goes sub 2:40
By Barry Lichter • 29 November 2019
Christchurch couple Chris and Kim Prutton didn’t quite make it to the winner’s circle in time to get their photo taken with Hampton Banner - but it didn’t detract from the thrill of winning a race on Interdominion opening night Auckland.
The finish was so tight - only noses separated Hampton Banner, Dr Susan and On A Roll - that Chris Prutton thought their horse had run only second.
So by the time they made it down from the grandstand after the judge’s call was announced, their pride and joy was already headed back to the stables.
Chris and Kim Prutton celebrate their win with Hampton Banner.But a few minutes later, in the hospitality room, Prutton told Lincoln Farms’ owner John Street how much they were enjoying being in the partnership which races Hampton Banner, thanks to the fantastic communication through www.lincolnfarms.co.nz.
Prutton likened the win to “the perfect golf shot” and revealed how ironic it was that his horse had pipped the hot favourite Dr Susan who is named after Susan Wakefield - “I built Susan and Jim’s house for them.”
Street races Hampton Banner with the Pruttons, Ian Kedzlie, Dennis Ebert, Steve MacDonald, Robert Seebeck and first time owners Kevin and Annette Crosswell, who had a big team of friends round to watch the race at their Bucklands Beach home.
And in accepting the trophy, he told how much the Bettor’s Delight colt had improved in recent weeks.
“He ran 2:39.3 tonight and they don’t run that time too often here. He’s a valuable three-year-old now and hopefully he can go on now and run in a derby.”
Trainer Ray Green said it was a long way from a one-win race to the derby “but if he keeps improving it will be interesting too see where he takes us.
John Street gives Hampton Banner a well done pat. PHOTO: Peter Rubery.“But he is a nice horse and even though he got a good trip tonight, it’s only his fifth start and he’s still very green.”
Green said he was sure Hampton Banner’s improvement this time in was because he was now sound.
“He had a lot of growing pains before - his stifles always bothered him - and X-rays showed he had soft bones. There was nothing we could do except give him plenty of time.”
Green said it was exactly the same with Recco Lover who was seemingly disappointing for so long before really hitting his straps.
Hampton Banner gave his best hint yet that he was over his aches and pains when scoring a very fast win at last Saturday’s Pukekohe workouts when Green labelled him the stable’s “surprise package.”
So it proved tonight when the horse showed terrific gate speed to lead before handing up to Dr Susan.
Zachary Butcher is all smiles after landing Hampton Banner a nose winner. PHOTO: Peter Rubery/Race Images.And Hampton Banner showed great courage to gradually wear down the leader up the passing lane, driver Zachary Butcher timing his run to perfection, staving off a big late charge from On A Roll, to record a fantastic mile rate of 1:56.5 for the 2200 metres.
The trio had the finish to themselves with 10 lengths to the fourth placed To Sir With Love.
A brother to six-race winner Scarlett Banner, Hampton Banner is out of the Christian Cullen mare Surf And Sand and cost Street $60,000 as a yearling.
More news in Harness
Rivergirl Bella finally delivers - and Phil kicks himself for not being there or having a punt
This is it, Sammy, the draw’s a bit of a pain but you can eat these non-winners for breakfast
Prince Lincoln finally shows what he’s made of - and, wow, was that a blazing demolition!
Hey Wendy and Amy, go easy of Fergs as he’s doing a sterling job taming Lincoln Linda
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Rivergirl Bella
5.14pm
“She tries hard and is getting stronger. She just needs a trip to be right there.”
Race 3: Copy N Paste
6.16pm
“Maurice said he got a bit tired on debut but I didn’t expect a lot. Four months ago you’d have wondered if he’d ever qualify. He’ll improve on that - he’s improving all the time - but from seven he’ll have to go back and come into it late.”
Race 5: Lincoln Linda
7.14pm
Update: Scratched
“She’s up in grade but is a chance again if she can get a good run up the front of the field. It was a good effort last time to break 2:43.”
Race 8: Lincoln Maree
8.49pm
“She’s trained on OK and, while no champion, has to be a chance down in grade against the amateur horses.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 4: Jessie Lincoln
6.57pm
“I can’t see her beating Sammy Lincoln but with a good draw at last you’ll see a better performance. She’s capable of finishing in the first three.”
Race 4: Spirit Of God
6.57pm
“She bolted in at the workouts, leading out from a wide gate and getting home in 27.9. She’s a great driving little mare and has good manners. I could see her winning one very soon.”
Race 4: Sammy Lincoln
6.57pm
“I know we’ve said it before but he has been unlucky a few times and, all things being fair and square, it’s hard to see him beaten. The draw is awkward but everything points to him winning. There are no derby horses in there and he went a great race in the Northern Derby last start.”
Race 4: Marylynes Boy
6.57pm
“He’s a tidy little horse. I can’t see him winning from the (second row) draw but he’s like Spirit Of God, he’s not far away from winning one.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.25pm
“He’s been a late developer. You can see it in his growth, his withers have finally popped up, and he’ll get better as time goes on. He’s no champion but he should be a handy horse through winter. He’s capable of stepping away fairly well.”
Race 5: Leo Lincoln
7.25pm
“It’s a toss-up between the two of them. Sugar Ray is a bit stronger perhaps but Leo is very good from a stand. You can forget that last run in the Messenger - he was only in there to help get the race off the ground.”
Race 7: Prince Lincoln
8.25pm
“He finally showed us what he’s got last week. Inside second row draws can be awkward - you’re at the mercy of the others - but he could end up with a good trail behind the leader.”
