This was a fantastic result for the owners, as the horse had been off for over 18 months with a serious leg injury. After the race they were fulsome in their praise of Peter and his staff for all their skill and hard work in bringing Dr Bravado back to winning form. If he remains sound, he could have a very profitable winter campaign.

AMICI’S BELMONT TRIUMPH

A recent addition to the stable, Amici, made his seasonal debut in the TabForm Coming Soon Handicap over 1300 metres at Belmont on Wednesday. The track was favouring front runners, so jockey William Pike jumped Amici out smartly from the barriers and positioned him just behind the leader, Dante’s Banquet. The horse settled really well, and William waited until well into the straight before asking him to go and win his race. Amici responded in impressive fashion, and won by a clear 2 lengths.

This was a great start to Amici’s season, and all his owners were on course to welcome him back to the winner’s enclosure. Let’s hope this victory is the first of many.

After racing, Bunbury Turf Club held their annual Awards Night, which brought down the curtain on a long season at WA’s leading provincial race track. After another record breaking season, with a highest ever points tally of 113.5, Peter won the Trainer Of The Year Award for the 11th successive time. This was a tremendous achievement, because racing was particularly competitive this year with the extra meetings due to the temporary closure of Pinjarra.

In his acceptance speech Peter paid tribute to his family, staff and owners, and praised BTC for their huge efforts in maintaining the good racing surface for this exceptional season.

Not only did Peter win the Trainers Award but, for only the second time, the stable took out the Horse Of The Year Award with the ever consistent Jungle Hawk. Managing owner Ray Hawkins and part owner John Hanson were presented with a cheque by Club Patron Helen Court, and in his acceptance speech Ray thanked Peter for conditioning the horse so well that he was able to perform at such a high level for most of the season. The Hawk was, in fact, never out of the frame in all his races.

It was South West Times Day at Bunbury on Thursday, and the Bunbury Herald Handicap over 1200 metres saw newcomer to the stable Snooperclyde step out after a brief letup. Snoopy looked magnificent, but was expected to need the run, over a distance short of his best. The race was run at a cracking pace, set by the lightweight Minroy, and this soon had most of the field under pressure, but Jason Whiting bided his time and, as the leaders sent out distress signals, he went for a run up the rails. Defying his long odds, Snooperclyde picked up his rivals quickly and went on for an easy victory. This was a nice surprise to his owners, who were on track to witness his first run for the stable. Managing owner Peter Hennessy is seen above leading his horse in after the win.

At Ascot on Saturday the stable had two representatives, and both acquitted themselves well. In the Westspeed 2YO Plate Peter’s home-bred Florina Lass put in a most encouraging performance to finish a close-up 3rd to the hot favourite Caribbean Cruise. This Carry A Smile filly looks to have a good 3 year old career ahead of her.

In the Hold That Smile Handicap stable stalwart Lexicon Gold put a typically brave performance to dead-heat for 2nd place on his 11th outing of this prep. The little horse continues to amaze us by his toughness, and is a credit to Peter’s conditioning.

On Thursday Pinjarra Race Club held one of their provincial fixtures at Ascot. Although he was meeting a competitive field, Dangerous Dane was made favourite to win the Clark Rubber Cannington Handicap over 1400 metres. Paul King fired the horse out from the barrier and positioned him just behind the front runners. Dane was always travelling well, and in the last 200 metres he loomed up to the leader Classy Nugget. After a short tussle, Dangerous Dane gained the upper hand and won well. This was a deserved win, as the horse had been most unlucky last time out at Bunbury, when he met all sorts of trouble on the rails.

Happy part owner Thea Mumme was on hand to welcome her winner home.

FIRST METRO WIN FOR LEXICON GOLD

Lexicon Gold took on a field of experienced gallopers in the City of Belmont Community Handicap over 1600 metres on Saturday. For the first time in town, the horse had drawn a good barrier but, despite his consistent record, he was not fancied to beat the hot favourite Lambton Castle.

Once the race got under way, Shaun O’Donnell settled Toby just behind the pacemakers as the field rolled along at a steady pace. On entering the home straight, Shaun waited as long as possible before asking the horse to make his effort and, when the gap came 150 metres out, Lexicon Gold sprinted into the lead, and had enough in hand to hold off the late challenge of the favourite and win by a cosy ¾ of a length.

This was Toby’s first metro class win, and was richly deserved after his honest efforts throughout this prep, when he had repeatedly raced without luck. The pundits were all full of praise for Shaun O’Donnell’s ride, which gained him the “Ride of the Day” accolade in the Sunday Times.

There was some very competitive racing over the Bunbury Round, and the team managed to score some more points towards the Trainers’ Championship.

In the first race on Stakes Day, Miss Laranto put in another huge run from an outside barrier to run a close up 3rd. Her turn can’t be far away.

On Cup Day, Jungle Hawk ran in the Nexus Series Final and ran another of his typically tough performances to dead heat for 3rd place. The 1400 metres proved just too far for him in the closing stages of the race, but he still maintained his tremendous record of being in the first 3 every run this prep.

In the final race of the round, the Jacobs Creek Sparkling Handicap, over 1400 metres, the stable had three runners – Spirited Rocket, Dangerous Dane and Jomatesi, and hopes were high that we would finish the meeting on a winning note. The race was run at a tremendous pace, and although Dangerous Dane and Jomatesi had little luck in running, Spirited Rocket was kept out of trouble by Paul King. He came with a storming run down the outside of the field in the last 200 metres, and won comfortably, recording one of the fastest times of the day.

Paul King remarked after the race that Rocket has grown in confidence since his Mt Barker maiden win, and is developing into a useful horse.

Managing owner Mike De Nicolis was on hand to lead in the winner.

A very busy week for the stable ended on Saturday at Ascot, with Elsie The Eagle finishing a gallant 3rd in the Alex Humphrey Memorial race over 1500 metres.

There is however a sad footnote to the week, as Matthew Giadresco had an accident on the pace track with a young 2yo, who fell on him and broke his pelvis. Fortunately the break is clean, but Matt will be laid up for 6-8 weeks. We all wish him a speedy recovery. This is a timely reminder of what a dangerous occupation riding and training horses can be.

At Ascot on Saturday Elsie The Eagle took on a talented field in the Pink Floorcare Sprint over 1600 metres. Buck The Odds was the odds on favourite, and as she had beaten Elsie before we were looking for revenge! The steady early pace suited her, and she rolled along happily just behind the leaders. On the home turn, Elsie was in danger of being trapped inside, but the mare is nothing if not determined and, as the field bunched, she pinned back her ears and charged through the narrowest of gaps to grab the lead, and win a shade cosily.

Elsie The Eagle has had a host of problems over the last two years, including an aversion to the barriers, and it has taken a great deal of patience and skill by the stable team to get her back to winning ways. It was appropriate that Mike and Jenny Fagan were on course to enjoy their family-owned mare’s terrific win. Jenny is seen here, leading Elsie in.

ASCOT TRIUMPH FOR DOC MORETTO

It was Pinjarra at Ascot on Wednesday, featuring the Listed Alcoa Classic. The stable had two runners at the meeting, and both did us proud.

The first race of the day was the Alcoa Strengthening Our Community Maiden, over 1400 metres, and Doc Moretto faced a full field, with Xaarvano a heavily backed favourite. The Doc jumped well, and William Pike positioned him just off the pace. Turning into the home straight the pacemakers were still going strongly, but 200 metres out William asked Doc Moretto for his effort, and he quickly gathered in the leaders. Challengers were on all sides, but under a hands and heels ride the Doc stretched out to win by a long neck. A strong performance by horse and rider, and Matthew Giadresco was delighted to lead in the family owned horse. Doc Moretto is home bred from Peter's great mare Miss Moretto, and is a half brother to Spirit Of Bunbury - now a stallion. Later in the day, in the Colin Green Memorial Handicap, Dangerous Dane ran a terrific race, endeavouring to make all from his good barrier, but was just run down in the last strides by the favourite Reverend Lovejoy. Compensation can't be long coming.

Trustadane, who joined the stable for this prep, ran in the Westspeed Bonus Stayers Handicap over 1800 metres at Ascot on Wednesday. The race was run at a steady pace, and William Pike had Trustadane running along in mid field. Approaching the home turn it looked as if William might have trouble getting out from his rails position, but fortunately the gap came, and Trustadane took full advantage, sprinting over the top of his rivals to win by nearly 2 lengths.

His owner Denis Butko seen here leading him in, was obviously delighted with his horse’s victory, especially as it was 665 days since his last one! Let’s hope Trustadane can build on this win, as Peter has now got him racing in top form.

HAWK MAKES IT FOUR FROM FIVE!

The stable only had a small team at Bunbury on Sunday, but they did us proud.

In the first race of the day, the United Crane Hire Bunbury Maiden, Miss Laranto, on only her third start for the stable, put in a huge run, just failing to catch the winner, A Reprieve, by a head. This little filly has a big heart and always gives her best.

Another newcomer to the stable, Jomatesi, ran in the Quality Handicap, and performed well, finishing just behind the leaders.

Without doubt the highlight of the day was yet another terrific run by Jungle Hawk in the United Crane Hire Health and Safety Handicap, over 1200 metres. The Hawk has a great following at Bunbury, and his supporters made him a warm favourite to win again. The locally trained Royal Showman set a strong gallop, but Jason Whiting was able to settle Jungle Hawk and they cruised along in 2nd place until well into the straight. At the 150 mark Jason asked Hawk for his effort, and he quickened away to win comfortably.

Jungle Hawk has been a revelation this prep; as this was his 4th victory from his last five starts. He hasn’t been out of the frame since his first outing in late October, which is testimony to Peter’s skill as a conditioner of horses. It is hard to see him being beaten for Bunbury’s Horse of the Year Award

Sunday saw Bunbury’s prestigious AHA Cup meeting, and the stable had runners in most of the races, all of which had strong fields.

Home-bred Doc Moretto, half brother to Spirit of Bunbury, ran a most promising race to finish 2nd in the Jacobs Creek Maiden over 1400 metres. Wye Valley also ran well to finish 3rd in the Express Print Maiden.

The highlight for the stable, however, was Spirited Rocket’s win in the last race of the day, the aptly named GIO Handicap. Rocket had a poor barrier, but jockey Paul King soon had him well placed behind the pacemakers. The race was run at a good clip, but Spirited Rocket travelled easily and, in the last 200 metres, took up the running. Although he was challenged late by True Price, Rocket ran home strongly to score a good victory at rewarding odds.

Peter was particularly pleased, as not only is he one of the part owners of the horse, but Rocket is bred from one of his mares, La Roquette.

At Bunbury on Thursday the Key Business filly Core Asset made her seasonal debut in the Ace Insurance Maiden over 1200 metres. There was a full field of promising gallopers, with a number having useful metro form. The early pace was set by All Spots, with Shaun McGruddy tucking in behind. Once into the straight, Core Asset was travelling so well that Shaun was confident to take up the lead and go for home. The filly answered his every call and strode home a clear winner.

Core Asset is a promising filly, and her patient owners should have a lot of fun in the next few weeks.

At Bunbury on Sunday the stable was in fine form, with a winner, a 2nd, a 3rd and a 4th from six runners.

The highlight was Jungle Hawk's third win this prep, in the Fred & Stan Sweepstakes Handicap over 1200 metres. His fine form frightened off most of the opposition, and only five horses went to post, with Hawk an odds-on favourite. The race was run to suit, with Go Berserk and then Ima Kahn setting a strong pace, with Jungle Hawk close up behind. Halfway down the straight he was asked to go and win his race, and he quickened away to win in fine style. Once again his veteran part owner John Hanson was on course to lead in his winner.

This horse has improved markedly this prep, and this was his third win in seven starts, with three 2nds and a 3rd, making him a warm favourite for the Bunbury Horse of the Year award at this stage of the season.

In the main race of the day, the amusingly named Howdoyoulikeyoursteaks Handicap, Lexicon Gold ran a terrific race to be just edged out by Lords Ransom, the Belmont Classic Stakes winner.

Price Monger finished a very unlucky 3rd in the DBC Valley Spring Lamb Handicap.

… AND FIM SPIRIT BREAKS THROUGH AT ALBANY

Dangerous Dane took on a competitive field in the Outlook Awning Maiden over 1400 metres. The race was run at a cracking pace, with Dangerous Dane always tracking the fancied pacemaker, Golly Gee. Shaun McGruddy judged the race perfectly and asked the horse to make his challenge in the last 100 metres. Dangerous Dane caught the leader 50 metres from the post and won cleverly, with a good gap back to the rest of the field.

One of the delighted joint owners, Thea Mumme, was happy to lead her winner in.

The consistent Jungle Hawk was one of the favourites for the Synthesis Shade Sail Handicap over 1200 metres, and was once again ridden by young Chloe Chatfield. As the field settled into their running, the mare True Price was keen to test her rivals, and set a fast gallop, with Jungle Hawk settled beautifully behind her. At the 300 metre mark Hawk moved up to challenge, and quickly sprinted clear of his field to coast to the line an easy winner. This horse has certainly improved this prep, and may be seen in a mid week town race shortly.

Several of his owners were on course to witness this victory, and senior owner John Hanson had the pleasure of leading him in.

Price Monger ran in the Del-Ray Blinds & Awnings Handicap over 1675 metres, and was opposed by a strong odd-on favourite, Miss Something. Despite this being a new trip for Price Monger, Jason Whiting decided to go into the lead and make all. For much of the race he was pestered by the outsider Very Tasty, but Jason kept to the rail and, once into the straight, asked Price Monger for a final effort. For a moment the favourite looked as though she would overhaul him, but he would not be denied, and stayed on stoutly to win. A great performance by both horse and rider, and, of course, by Peter to get Price Monger back to winning ways.

Chris Barker, one of the co-owners, had made the long trip from Wagin to see her horse run, and was delighted to lead him in to the winner’s enclosure.

….AND ANOTHER ON SUNDAY!

The stable’s good form continued on Sunday, when we had a winner and a 2nd from only four runners at Bunbury.

The consistent Tuffaz was made a warm favourite for the Bunbury Holden St. George Auto Finance Maiden, over 1400 metres. In the early stages of the race Tuffaz was in the lead, but he was soon overtaken by Belsorrizo and Eyes Are A Poppin, who ensured there was a fast pace. In the straight Eyes Are A Poppin was still leading, but Jason Whiting moved Tuffaz stylishly into the lead 150 metres out. Unfortunately the horse then thought he had done enough and began to idle in front, allowing Eyes Are A Poppin to mount a late challenge, but luckily Tuffaz had enough in hand, and scored a deserved victory. Steve Braovich, the son of one of the owners, was on hand to lead him in. It was a shame Steve’s father Wally missed the horse’s first win, but we hope this gives him a welcome boost, as he is at present recovering from an operation. Get well soon, Wally.

In the other 1400 metres maiden San Salvo showed improved form to run a promising 2nd behind Justavision.