Hopeland trainer Debra Lewis looks set for many more wins with the lightly-raced New Zealand-bred four-year-old Hampton Banner, who was not extended in leading and winning easily from Palatino and Poisedtopounce in the 1730m Simmonds Steel Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Hampton Banner, driven by Chris Lewis, asserted his ascendancy when he sped over the opening quarter of the final mile in 27.8sec. He then relaxed with quarters of 30.3sec. and 29.6sec. before sprinting over the final 400m in 28sec. He rated a smart 1.55.2.
This followed his easy all-the-way win at a 1.56.5 rate over 2130m at Gloucester Park ten nights earlier. He now has had five starts in Western Australia for two wins and a second placing after racing nine times in New Zealand for three wins and one placing.
This completed a double for Lewis, who was successful behind Stroke Of Luck in the previous event.
by Ken Casellas