$101 long shot gives Alan Hunter an emotional victory
WE would forgive any punter who overlooked Astro Castro in the VRC Recognition Handicap at Flemington on Saturday after the soon to be four-year-old won on debut at massive odds.
The Alan Hunter-trained gelding was on debut going up against a field which included the likes of the John O’Shea-trained Badajoz and Danny O’Brien-trained Tyrannize, but it was the battlers time to shine in the final race of the day.
Paying an incredible $101 at Sportsbet.com.au, Astro Castro was nothing more than a long shot chance in a quality race, but Hunter went for glory and the gamble paid off in what was an emotional post-race scene.
“Gee whiz! It was a throw at the stumps,” Hunter said. “We always thought he was smart.
“He’s well related, he’s closely related to Triple Honour.
“Next week he’s four, so why not have a go? You only live once.”
Hunter was in tears during his post-race interview and he paid tribute not only to his grandfather whose colours are worn by Astro Castro, but also to his late sister who tragically passed away. The sentiments didn’t stop Hunter from wearing his heart on his sleeve in the home straight.
“I look like a goose don’t I?,” Hunter joked. “It’s pretty special, they’re my grandfathers colours.”
Jockey Jason Benbow said the ride was surprisingly easy, but he knew it would have to be good to defeat the quality handicap field.
“He’s got to be at his best to be competitive,” Benbow said. “He would have been at big odds, too.
“He’s actually a really lovely ride. He’ll get better as he matures, it was a really big win.
“I think he sort of had no idea what the game was about and Ollie (Damien Oliver, Tyrannize) gave him something to chase and we got the chocolates.”
Tyrannize looked the winner nearing the line for Oliver, but Astro Castro put in the big bounds late. Seeing as it will be turning four next week, Hunter thought he might as well try his hand at winning a three-year-old event and now the rest is history.
He has yet to make any future plans for the surprise Flemington winner.