by Kyle Galley
Despite the doom and gloom regarding the future of trotting in Gippsland, local trainers are hanging in there and Trafalgar horseman Glenn Hunter produced a career highlight on Saturday night at Sydney's Menangle Park circuit.
Hunter's brilliant young trotting filly Gatesys Gem won the prestigious $75,000 NSW Trotters Oaks, defeating a top line-up of three-year-olds.
Ace reinsman Luke McCarthy was entrusted with the drive behind Gatesys Gem, raced by Hunter's mother Rhonda. The filly also is nominated for the Victorian two-year-old trotting filly of the year award for her efforts in her initial season of racing last year.
That award will be announced on May 26.
There was also local interest on Saturday in the NSW Pacing Oaks however after winning a qualifying heat last weekend Miss Ari raced without luck in the Final.
Her stablemate Sahara Breeze finished not far from the placegetters in the $200,000 mares mile race.