The benefit of having paddocks at his Mornington stable has resulted in Thron Bone recording a third straight win for trainer Jerome Hunter.
Success in the MRC Membership Renewal Handicap (1200m) at Caulfield on Saturday followed previous victories by Thron Bone at Caulfield and Flemington.
After his success at Flemington on July 2, Hunter had intended heading straight to the Group 3 Vain Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on August 13 with Thron Bone.
But with Thron Bone having a break in one of the paddocks at the stables where Hunter prepares his team, the trainer could see the gelding was doing too well.
Instead of waiting six weeks between the Flemington success and the Vain Stakes, Hunter elected to tackle Saturday’s race, with happy results.
Under the guidance of Will Price, Thron Bone ($5) finished too well for the $2.20 favourite River Ribble to score by three-quarters-of-a-length with debutant Chester Warrior ($14) a half-neck away third.
“We put him out and we were going to go straight to the Vain Stakes, but he was doing so well out that I thought why stop while we’re going so good,” Hunter said.
“It would be six weeks between runs, so I thought we’d bring him and keep him ticking over.
“His demeanour was great when he was having a break. We’ve got a few paddocks and he was just jumping out his skin and when they do too well, they actually put on a bit of weight, and I didn’t want him putting on too much weight.
“I thought I’d bring him in and treat this like a trial.”
Hunter said he would follow a similar program to the Vain Stakes with Thron Bone.
He said the gelding could enjoy some more time in the paddock before being prepared for a second assault on a stakes race.
“He’ll have a little freshen up at home again and then we can go on and hopefully do the same thing,” Hunter said.
