Racing: Hurrah reason to cheer

Christchurch trainer Shane Kennedy is fast falling in love with Hastings and the hospitality Hawke's Bay Racing has to offer.

The young trainer now has a record of two wins from two starters on the Hastings track following Hurrah's easy win in the $20,000 Te Runga Gold Cup (1600m) yesterday at Hawke's Bay.

Kennedy made his first visit to Hastings earlier this month and saddled up Zapakat to win a 1400m maiden race on April 7.

"This is a great place and so is the weather," a smiling Kennedy said after Hurrah's 1 1/4 length victory over Tallisman and Pentathon.

He decided to leave Hurrah in the North Island after the horse finished an unlucky 12th out of 14 over 1400m at last weekend's Manawatu premier meeting.

On that day South Island jockey Jamie Bullard was denied an inside run on the horse in the final stages of the race and was forced to ease him right down to avoid clipping the heels of others in front.

"He was very unlucky at Awapuni and would have got some of the money with a clear run," Kennedy said.

Hurrah has now recorded four wins from eight starts and yesterday's win was the 14th from Kennedy's stable for the season.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY