Wez Hunter may have found another career for Mio Dio when he finishes his career on the racetrack.
A session of jumping hurdles and the addition of blinkers paved the way to success for Mio Dio in the Garden View Pavilion Handicap (1200m) at Flemington on Saturday.
Mio Dio
Hunter revealed Mio Dio had schooled over hurdles on Friday morning with great passion and said the gelding may have secured a career in the equestrian field when his racing days were over.
“He jumped hurdles yesterday and he had the blinkers on for the first time on Thursday morning and just had a canter around with them on,” Hunter said.
“Yesterday was the first time we had jumped him and he’s a gun at it.”
Ridden by Chris Parnham, Mio Dio ($19) scored a two-length victory over Benchi Pegasus ($8) with Lord Da Vinci ($11) 1-3/4 lengths away third.
Hunter said Mio Dio was purely a short-course galloper that appreciated the soft six track conditions on Saturday.
“There’s a bit of give here today and that’s when he runs his best races and in the shades for the first time, it’s done the trick,” he said.
“It’s nice to get a win with him and he’s a Flemington winner now, which is a big result for him.”
