Sleek Hunter picked off his rivals one by one as he raced to the half and drew away to a four and a half length victory in Rideau Carleton Raceway's final $16,250 Preferred Handicap Pace of 2011 on Thursday night
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When the wings of the gate folded, a four-horse cavalry charge jockeyed for early position over the snowy track with Sleek Hunter taking back to fifth. Outside starter Montreal Phil (Gord Brown) forged to the front during the :26.4 opening panel, but driver Simon Allard sent Sleek Hunter after the lead as they moved in front of the grandstand for the first time.
Sleek Hunter advanced steadily on the outside, taking over command past the :57.4 half-mile mark. He reached three-quarters in 1:26.3 and began to build up his leading margin to secure the victory in 1:56.4. Montreal Phil stayed for second and Bolero Charles (Guy Gagnon) followed in third. The 3-1 third choice paid $8.30 to win for the seventh time in his career.
The victory was Sleek Hunter's first for his new Quebec connections, trainer/co-owner Rene Allard, Gest Millenium 2000 Inc., and Jean Guy Bruneau. The four-year-old Four Starzzz Shark-Beverage gelding, a career winner of nearly $150,000, was plucked from a $25,000 claiming race at Pocono Downs on Nov. 8.
To view Thursday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Thursday Results - Rideau Carleton Raceway.