Winter Rewards next target for upset Winton winner

By Jonny Turner 

For a result that few expected, the signs were there before Feta Go Fernco sped to victory in the Diamond Creek Farm SBSR Silk Road Final at Winton on Sunday.

The mare rocked punters when bursting back into form with a dashing display for trainer-driver Peter Hunter. 

Though her form on paper may have warranted her massive $81 price, her results didn't tell the whole story.

"She had just had no luck in the heats, but it was a good day for things to go her way, in a race like that,” Hunter said. 

"She was caught out and worked in her first two starts back, then in her last start I thought she went pretty good."

"On Sunday, there were a few things in our favour, some of the better fancied ones burnt the first half."

"Her speed is her best asset and that sort of played into our hands."

Feta Go Fernco has had a stop-start career but she's shown good talent along the way.

A leg injury meant she didn't make it to the races until she was a five-year-old.

The pacer won her first start for Matthew Williamson's barn before picking up a third victory for owners Brian, Ronan and Brooklyn Ferns.

Feta Go Fernco then had a decent break before joining the Hunter stable.

"We will focus on the Winter Rewards now, she will have to have a couple more starts to qualify for that."

Hunter is in the midst of a quieter-than-usual season, having lined up just 14 starters so far.

A changing of the guard at his Ryal Bush barn is mostly the reason.

"We are rebuilding the racing team at the moment."

"We have had a couple of horses come to the end of it and others sold."

"When you have a small team it doesn't take much."

"We've qualified three two-year-olds and raced one of them, they will be the next ones coming through."

Hunter won't have the services of his stable star Justaweesip in the immediate future, with the filly being sent for a freshener.

The three-year-old went a massive race in the Group 2 Southern Oaks when running on for fifth after receiving a heavy check at the 400m.