Fernando Hunter Retires A Meteor Champion

GOING into the Masters Meteor, Fernando Hunter had raced on 51 occasions for 21 wins and a further 13 placings for a tidy $100,860 in prize money.

Yet in 29.87 seconds at Wentworth Park on Friday night, Fernando Hunter, trained by Michelle Sultana and owned by group 1 jockey Brenton Avdulla, doubled his stakes tally with a powerhouse Masters Meteor success.

Going into the $100,000-to-the-winner decider following a fast finishing heat second to Sutton Sandy, Fernando Hunter's Meteor stocks spiralled significantly after the son of Fernando Bale drew the rails for the rich final.

But it wasn't smooth sailing for the prolific winning Fernando Hunter, having to gun down a rampaging Victorian Stout Monelli in the drive to the line to score comfortably in the end in 29.87.

"It's what we've been aiming for all year"

What an emotional and satisfying victory for Fernando Hunter in the 2023 Masters Meteor – we spoke to Michelle Sultana after the win, who tells us Hunter now has a comfy couch to look forward to in retirement!#thedogs @wentyparkgreys pic.twitter.com/76RBRovK6W

— The Dogs (@Thedogs_com_au) October 13, 2023

Finishing runner-up was Stout Monelli for leading Victorian trainer David Geall with Aston Barak a gallant third for Jason Fletcher.

Following the victory, trainer Michelle Sultana said her grand chaser deserved the feature race win.

“He's come through so much, been bitten by a snake and still winning all those races and now he's going out in a bang,” Sultana said.

“I think he's deserved a spot on the couch. I'd say that'll be it for him.”

A passionate greyhound enthusiast, owner Brenton Avdulla was watching on from Hong Kong as Fernando Hunter, named after the group 1 winning jockey's son Hunter, swept to victory.

“He's named him after little Hunter so yes he means a lot to Brenton,” Sultana said.

“It's really nice to win the race for him. He'll be watching on.”