Hec Anderton is embarking on his final season as a public trainer with Hustler, topweight in the Winter Cup at Riccarton today.
"It is definitely my last season in partnership. I will just poke about with some of my own horses after this season," Anderton said.
"I was going to
finish last season but I wanted to see out The Jewel."
His son Steven will continue in the public arena.
They have been in partnership for five years and have produced dual group one winner The Jewel and other talented gallopers, including Sand Sweeper, Heureka (Dunedin and Waikouaiti Cups) and Hustler.
Hustler joined the stable mid last season after winning seven races under Paul Harris.
He has had five starts for the Andertons since April for an open 1200m win at Riccarton and success in the Winter Cup Trial (1400m) at Ashburton at his last start on July 14. He has also been placed in his other three starts.
Hec Anderton, 64, has been training publicly since 1966. He won his first race the following year with Crown Agent. His training career followed on from race riding. He served his apprenticeship with his father, the late Hector Anderton.
His best win as a jockey was the Churchill Stakes at Riccarton in 1958 on Fountainhead.
Riccarton was also the scene of the Anderton father and son training triumph with The Jewel in the 2002 One Thousand Guineas.
The Jewel, winner of the group one International Stakes at Te Rapa in February is to resume this month.
The $1 million Kelt Stakes at Hastings on October 1 is her main target.
- NZPA
