It was a local winner of Friday’s $200,000 Listed Darley Scone Cup (1600m), but perhaps not the one punters were hoping for.
The favourite Banju tended to over-race and trailed in ninth as the Cameron Crockett-trained Commando Hunt pounced under a perfectly timed ride by Jeff Penza.
The 5yo son of Time For War clung to a desperate short-neck win over the Kris Lees-trained grey Luncies (Iffraaj), with that gelding’s stablemate Acquitted (Night Of Thunder) a half-neck back in third.
With his maiden stakes success, Commando Hunt advances his record to five wins, five seconds, and three thirds from 23 starts with earnings of $486,880.
“I listened to all the experts this morning, and they never mentioned his name,” Crockett said.
“Thanks to Des Kennedy, a long-time supporter. Everything has panned out perfectly, and he is off to the Big Dance.”
A $30,000 purchase for Sheamus Mills Bloodstock at the 2019 Inglis Scone Yearling Sale, Commando Hunt races for his breeder Des Kennedy with Max Whitby and Brian Rutter.
Commando Hunt is the best of six winners from eight to race for the Strategic mare Misasio who has a yearling colt by Sooboog, which was a $20,000 purchase for Horse Power Import & Export from the Kitchwin Hills draft at the 2023 Inglis HTBA Yearling Sale.
Tragically a three-quarter sister to Commando Hunt, by Time For War’s Silver Slipper-winning son Time To Reign, died after her birth last spring.
A $1,000 purchase at the 2008 Inglis Scone Broodmare Sale, Misasio revisited the Kitchwin Hills Stud-based stallion last November.
Commander Hunt is the fourth stakes-winner for Snitzel’s Time For War, who died after covering just two books at Kitchwin Hills.
