By Adam Hamilton
Like so many Aussies, Glenn Hunter has watched New Zealand Cup Week and dreamed.
In less than two months, his dream will become a reality.
The 47-year-old, who has driven 244 winners and trained 45, will take his star trotting filly Gatesys Gem to Addington for the Majestic Horse Floats $500,000 Ascent on Show Day, November 14.
“I’ve never been, but of course I’ve watched and loved it like everyone else,” he said.
Gatesys Gem will join another star Victorian filly Tracy The Jet in a quest to defend Australia’s crown in The Ascent after the incomparable Keayang Zahara romped home last year.
While this year’s pair aren’t in the Keayang Zahara class, they are very smart young trotters.
Gatesys Gem has raced just 12 times for eight wins, three seconds and a fourth.
Significantly, she beat the boys at Group 1 level at her latest start in the NSW Trotters’ Derby at Menangle on May 17.
It came a week after Gatesys Gem beat Tracy The Jet in the Group 1 NSW Trotters’ Oaks.
Tracy The Jet has franked the form with three wins from as many starts since.
They are poised to meet again in the $60,000 Victoria Trotters’ Oaks at Melton on what shapes as an epic Victoria Cup night.
Hunter revealed Gatesys Gem had endured a “few small issues” since she last raced, but was back on song now.
“We’ve had a little bit to deal with, but I was really happy with her trial last week,” he said.
Gatesys Gem beat a handy field comfortably in a 2min0.1sec mile rate for 2100m, closing off in 28.7sec.
Gatesys Gem will race in The Ascent slot held jointly by Aussie trotting giants Duncan McPherson and Pat Driscoll.
It’s a good fit given Gatesys Gem is by the ill-fated Aldebaran Eagle, who stood at McPherson’s Aldebaran Park.