Caption: Chairman of GWA Steve Dobson, and Dave and Christine Robartson with Hinto

WA news with JAMES BROADHURST

UP-AND-COMING chaser Hinto franked his WA Derby win from earlier in the year when he claimed the Westcha$e final over 520m on a drenched Cannington circuit at the start of July.

The quality blue chaser from Christine Robartson’s kennels has been ultra-consistent in the early part of his career. 

In his 14 races as of writing Hinto had racked up seven victories and missed a top-two finish on only one occasion.

Hinto was outpointed by Stone Cold Augie and had settle for second during the heat stage of the Westcha$e, but was able to turn the tables when it mattered in the trophy decider.

In wet and wintery conditions Hinto began moderately from box two, which landed him midfield and forced him to go around his opposition as they approached the first bend.

Hinto had enough acceleration to zoom around the pack and seize the lead into the back straight before holding off a spirited challenge from runner-up Hurricane Taylor in the dash home to score by half a length in 30.22.

After his Derby win Hinto looked ready to take the greyhound world by storm but atrocious jumps at his next couple of attempts halted his progress and threatened to set him back.

Robartson and team were able to rectify Hinto’s box manners pretty quickly and while he’s not consistently brilliant out of the traps he is much improved in that area.

This, combined with his track sense and ability to work his way through a field, has been a big reason for his success.

Those traits were a big factor in his Westcha$e victory. 

“He was smart enough at the first turn,” said Dave Robartson, Christine’s husband, after the race.

“He pulled to the outside, which is obviously the best part of track (given the conditions), and it worked in his favour.”

The Robartsons have a good team of young chasers with the likes Throttle and Our Dream Girl joining Hinto as regular money-spinners.

Throttle is arguably the best of them all and while he’s yet to enjoy the feature race success of Hinto he’s shown moments of excellence including a PB run of 29.52 over 520m in early May and a thumping 10-length victory after riding a bump a month later.