GREEN GETS A TUNCURRY WINNER TO CELEBRATE HIS BIRTHDAY

PETER Green had the perfect reason for a dual celebration today.

The versatile Hawkesbury horseman, who trains thoroughbreds and drives standardbreds, won the opening race at Tuncurry’s Gold Cup Showcase meeting with a nine-year-old gelding he has had for less than 12 months.

Green wasn’t at the track and was already celebrating his birthday at a local “watering hole”, and watched Sky Racing as Avion Fury ($8.50) made light of his 63kg impost to land the Benchmark 66 Handicap (2100m).

Ridden by Grant Buckley, Avion Fury motored home to easily defeat Casino Bear ($3.50) and Spiritly ($6.50).

Green is the umpteenth trainer of the “veteran”, who initially fetched $140,000 as a yearling at the Gold Coast in 2018.

Being a “birthday boy”, he called on Chris Attard to take Avion Fury to Tuncurry and saddle him for his assignment.

“I know Avion Fury had a big weight, but I wasn’t worried about that,” Green said this afternoon.

“He carried 61kg when he won a similar race over 2000m at Mudgee in July on a heavy track.”

Avion Fury, a son of More Than Ready, was purchased privately by the trainer’s good friend Greg Andison late last year.

The “old boy” has more than repaid his purchase price.

Green has won two races with Avion Fury, who has also been placed four times at provincial level.

“The horse owes us nothing at all,” Green said.

“We have to decide now whether to retire him on a winning note, or look for another suitable race for him.”

Green became the 14^th Hawkesbury trainer to be successful early in the season, and hopes he can parlay the Tuncurry victory into his first Saturday winner in town at Rosehill Gardens tomorrow.

Killer Kerr was second emergency for the Midway Benchmark 72 Handicap (1200m), but a number of scratchings have given her a start.

“She will get conditions to suit, and in my opinion is over the odds with only 52kg,” Green said.

“Louise Day is riding at the provincials, so I have been able to book Alysha Collett.

“Alysha has ridden her before (at Hawkesbury in April last year), and knows the mare.”

Killer Kerr also was an acceptor for a F&M Benchmark 64 Handicap (1200m) at Kembla Grange tomorrow.

. Gosford trainer Adam Duggan and Newcastle trainer Paul Perry, along with Newcastle jockey Ash Morgan, also were successful at Tuncurry.

Duggan won the Super Maiden Handicap (1400m) with Oh Deer ($4.60), Perry took the closer, the Benchmark 66 Handicap (1200m) with Savoca ($3.10), and Morgan landed the $100,000 Big Dance Eligibility Tuncurry-Forster Gold Cup (1600m) on Ciaron Maher’s $2.70 favorite Lugh.

Story John Curtis, September 12, 2025 - Pics Bradley Photos