By Mike Love
Kaikoura trainer David Broadhurst was rewarded for trekking south when Ester Lucy scored an impressive maiden victory in the Book Your Christmas Party With Us At Addington yesterday.
Driven by Ross Houghton, Ester Lucy began well to secure the trail, receiving an economical trip throughout. Houghton then opted to angle the four-year- old Bettors Creek mare around pacemaker General Rebeck to swoop by and run away with the prize, scoring by two and a half lengths and buzzing home in a final 400m of 27.5.
“I broke her in as a three-year-old. And now within a year she’s qualified and won a race. Dave’s done a pretty good job with her,” said driver Ross Houghton.
That was Ester Lucy’s seventh race day start, having placed on one other occasion.
“We’re very happy with her, and Ross (Houghton) is a top driver,” Broadhurst said in a post race interview.
“She’s very well bred. Her grandmother is Chokin Hanover. She’s a lovely mare, no vices in her.”
“I think there’s more wins in her.”
The next time Ester Lucy fronts up she will be in very familiar surrounds – the South Bay racecourse.
“We will go to the Kaikoura meeting next with her.”
The two day meeting is on November 3 and 4.
Broadhurst currently trains a team of two racehorses.
“I have another Bettors Creek at home out of a well bred mare that I need to get started on that Ross broke in.”
Ester Lucy’s victory granted Broadhurst with his 12th training career win.
Other highlights on the programme saw Blair Orange pick up a driving double on Wriggles Rufus and Straight Flush to extend his premiership lead, while junior driver Sam Thornley steered Noah Magnific to victory extending his lead in the premiership over Carter Dalgety by nine wins in the juniors’ premiership.
