HARNESS RACING: Exploraround not only gave local trainer Nathan Hoy a qualifier in the $5000 Huntley Properties Pace Final next month but was also the first of a winning treble at Dubbo on Wednesday night.

The Huntley Properties Final will be run on August 6 with the winner’s package to include a new gig for the winning trainer.

It was a big night for the Hoy stable with Exploraround ($5.00), Strong Maid ($12.00) and Choc Attack ($8.00) all owned by Nathan’s parents Garth and Robin Hoy, who also bred Exploraround and Choc Attack.

The win by Exploraround was an outstanding one with Nathan Hoy saying the mare raced better in a fast run race.

“When it’s a stop-start affair she doesn’t like it at all and is inclined to pull as she did last start at Penrith,” Nathan said.

“But tonight they went along at a fast bat and she was more relaxed.

“We were due for a change of luck with her and tonight it worked out in our favour.

“She felt good at the finish for a strong win. We’ll now look forward to the final next month.”

The last quarter time for Exploraround was 29.9s, after earlier splits of 7.2s (lead time), 29.2s, 30.5s and 31.4s.

While Exploraround couldn’t match the early speed out of barrier four, she was allowed to run her own race with heavily backed $1.50 favourite Cosimo Bromac leading the way.

At the bell Exploraround was one-out, one-back but still needed some luck down the back straight when the challenges came thick and fast.

Before the final turn Mark Butler’s gelding Cosimo Bromac was under pressure and gone for all money while Hoy got the break (and some luck) he needed to come four-wide down the outside.

The winning margin of 2.25 metres was a good indication of the mare’s quality in this race with Seaspray ($3.50, John O’Shea) second and Bunyarra Adios ($12.00) third for local trainer Leighton Burns.

Winner two for Hoy came when Strong Maid showed a lot of courage to out-sprint her rivals in the Harvey Norman Electrical NSW State Bred Bonus 3YO Pace (2120m), while Chock Attack broke a long run of outs to win the Harvey Norman Computer Superstore Pace (1720m).

Choc Attack hadn’t won since June last year and his form since the return of racing after the equine influenza hasn’t been outstanding. But according to Hoy he hasn’t had much luck with the barrier draws but is on the improve as he demonstrated Wednesday night.

All three winners for Hoy have now been entered for Menangle Park on Tuesday.

“There is a guy down there who does laser work on backs, so we’ll have all three of the horses treated and race during the one trip,” Hoy said.