Despite a rearward dispatch in Wednesday's (Dec. 15) $10,300 conditioned pacing feature at Flamboro Downs, Hunter Hill ($5.90) proved best at the end of a 1:55.2 mile, circling all five of his foes to earn his fifth seasonal victory.
Scott Coulter took Hunter Hill back to last in the six-horse field while Hughie Junior N drilled a :27 first quarter. On the second turn, the four-year-old Somebeachsomewhere gelding moved third-over into a live running line which saw 3-2 favourite Pat McGarry A clear from third at the end of a :57.2 half.
Just upon entering the second circuit, Hunter Hill struggled on the clubhouse turn, but reset on the backstretch to tighten behind third-over cover before fanning four-wide off the home turn. While Pat McGarry A was busy contending with an uncovered challenge from 34-1 outsider Better Be Gouda, Hunter Hill surged down the grandstand side in the final sixteenth and took the lead three strides before the winning post. Better Be Gouda salvaged second; Pat McGarry A was a game third.
Scott West owns and trains Hunter Hill, who is now an eight-time winner in his career.
To view Wednesday's complete results, click the following link: Wednesday Results – Flamboro Downs.