Hurrell on a winning roll

[Wandering Eyes]

By Jonny Turner

Mark Hurrell continued his great run with trotters when Port Pegasus strode to victory at Ascot Park on Saturday.

Hurrell took no chances with the four-year-old, urging him to the lead at the 500m before the trotter continued his grand run of recent form in race 10.

It was an all Eastern Southland result with Port Pegasus trained at Gore by Brian Norman raced by Wyndham breeder-owner Ian Hunter.

“He went good, he has been going really well lately,” Hurrell said.

“I don’t think I have run further back than second on him.”

“He jumps up in grade now but in the lower grades he has been trotting really good.”

“Here’s hoping he can bring his manners to the next grade and he keeps going good.”

Hurrell has been in grand form in the trotting gait lately, thanks to horses like Only One Way and Smokin Bandar.

After a brilliant win at Ascot Park a fortnight ago, Hurrell and Only One Way will reunite at Addington next week.

“I am having a good run with the trotters, Only One Way is going to Addington on Friday and hopefully he can go alright up there.”

Hurrell has become a regular at Alexandra Park recently, with trips north to take junior driver opportunities.

The reinsman was in winning form on Thursday night in Tony Herlihy’s colours with Melanion.

Hurrell admitted the victory gave him quite a thrill.

“It was good to be able to drive a horse like him up there and get the job done for Tony.”

“It was pretty special, really.”

“They only went slow and then run a quick last half.”

“But Tony said he has got a good wee sprint on him.”

“He probably rounded them up too easy because he started half knocking off.”

“But he went really good, I thought.”

More trips north are on the cards for the Wyndham-based reinsman who clearly knows his way around Alexandra Park.

The support of trainers like Michelle Wallis and Bernie Hackett has added more incentive for Hurrell to head to Auckland.

“I am not too sure if I will be going next week but the meeting at the end of the month, I might have a look at going.”

“Bernie and Michelle topped me up with a drive or two which makes the trip worthwhile.”

Saturday’s win by Port Pegasus completed a double for trainer Brian Norman with Foxfire Easton capping consistent form to win race 2 with Sarah O’Reilly doing the driving.

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