Gloucester Park review

Olivieri bruised but happy

Ross Olivieri, an eight-time premier harness racing trainer in Western Australia, was left bruised but extremely happy after Major Times stormed home to score an emphatic victory over champion pacer Chicago Bull in the $25,000 RSM Rotary Club Fremantle Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.

“From the draws I didn’t give Major Times much chance of beating Chicago Bull,” said Olivieri. “However, Major Times looked brilliant when we left home, and he spent all night biting in his stall — which was different to the way he behaved the previous week when he finished 10th behind Whozideawasthis.

“He had his game face on tonight and he kept nipping me. They were little nips on my back and arms, but they hurt. He’s a bit of a beast and a beautiful stallion.”

Major Times was a $14.50 chance from barrier six, with Chicago Bull a hot favourite at $1.18 from the No. 1 barrier in the 2536m event.

Chris Voak drove aggressively and sent Major Times forward with a three-wide burst soon after the start to move to the breeze after 550m, with Chicago Bull pacing strongly in the lead.

Diego ($23) then went forward to race without cover before he obtained the one-out, one-back trail when Emily Suvaljko dashed forward with Vultan Tin ($15) to race in the breeze. This relegated Major Times to sixth in the one-out, two-back position.

Chicago Bull led by two lengths 450m from home and was still about a length clear of his rivals 100m from the post. However, he began to wilt, and Major Times swept to the front with 40m to travel and won by just under a length at a 1:56 rate, with the final three quarters being run in 28.4sec., 28.5sec. and 28.3sec.

This was the third start after a two-month absence for Major Times, following his disappointing last behind Vultan Tin in the Narrogin Cup on March 20.

“His run in the Narrogin Cup was a shocker,” said Olivieri. “And when he got home, he looked moth-eaten and was crook. He was suffering from a respiratory virus, and it took him a little while to get over this illness.”

The Victorian-bred Major Times, owned by South Australian Les Morris, has had seven starts in WA for three wins to improve his career record to 55 starts for 21 wins, 20 placings and stakes of $308,010. He won at his only start in South Australia, had two starts in New South Wales for two placings and his 45 Victorian starts produced 18 wins and eight placings.

By Art Major, Major Times is the second foal out of The Good Times, who raced 60 times for 17 wins, 15 placings and $201,024. Her dam, Larrakeyah Lady (57 starts for 11 wins, 13 placings and $78,131) produced nine winners, including the 2002 Hunter Cup winner Safe And Sound (84 starts for 33 wins, 30 placings and $995,606), Massarua (216 starts for 42 wins, 59 placings and $282,692) and Gold Rocket (122 starts for 36 wins, 37 placings and $393,387).

Olivieri said that Major Times, along with stablemates Perfect Major and Im Full Of Excuses, would be set for the rich Fremantle Cup and WA Pacing Cup in the summer.

Gary Hall jnr said that when Major Times challenged for the lead 350m from home Chicago Bull resisted the move. “But in the last little bit his fitness really gave out over the final 50 metres,” he said. “I’m not too worried; we’re getting better and I’m certainly not giving up on him.

“I put the Dollys (Dolly Vardon blinkers) back on him tonight and fired him out. He got a bit keen, but not enough to bring him undone. I wouldn’t have gone that hard into the bell if he had settled a bit better.

“He came in heaving, and he’s the best winded horse we’ve probably ever had. So, he might be far off (from full fitness) maybe.”

Harper praises Sheez Our Hope

Inexperienced but richly talented five-year-old Sheez Our Hope was eighth at the bell and still at the rear turning into the back straight in the group 3 $30,000 Barker Whittle Harry Capararo Westbred Pace for four and five-year-old mares at Gloucester Park on Friday night before she unleashed her trademark dazzling burst of speed.

“I pulled her out and had to go four wide,” said reinsman Kyle Harper. “And that is very difficult to go that wide at that point and then round them up like she did. It just speaks wonders for the horse.

“Her point-to-point speed, her mannerisms and the way she just ran away from them to win untouched was outstanding.”

Harper also praised the ability of owner-trainer Mike Cornwall to produce Sheez Our Hope in such wonderful condition 11 days after the mare was badly checked and had to be retired from a race at Pinjarra.

Sheez Our Hope, favourite at $1.80, burst to the front 220m from home and coasted to victory by two and a half lengths over the pacemaker and $4.40 third fancy Adda Tarantella, rating 1.56.3 over 2130m, with the final quarters being run in 28.4sec. and 28.6sec.

Sheez Our Hope gives every indication of developing into one of the State’s best mares and a leading candidate for the rich feature events for mares later in the year. She has had only ten starts for six wins and two placings for earnings of $56,015.

Big plans for Captains Beachbabe

Trainer Nathan Turvey announced ambitious plans for Captains Beachbabe after Emily Suvaljko had driven the $4.70 second favourite to an effortless victory in the Quayside Transport Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.

“She will be aimed at the $100,000 Westbred Classic for three-year-old fillies next Friday week, along with her stablemate Bettor Beach Belle,” said Turvey.

“She worked well during the week, so we were pretty confident, even though over a mile you need things to go your way.”

Captains Beachbabe was not bustled at the start from the No. 6 barrier and Suvaljko was quick to settle the filly in the ideal one-out and one-back position as the $3.10 favourite Simply Shaz was setting the pace after racing wide early and getting to the front after 400m.

After a 28.4sec. third 400m section, Captains Beachbabe charged to the front 250m from home and won by three lengths from $21 chance Star For Me, with Simply Shaz fighting on to finish third. The winner rated 1.56.1 over the 1730m journey.

Captains Beachbabe, by American stallion Captaintreacherous, is the fourth foal out of Grin On The Beach, who raced 67 times for seven wins, 18 placings and $47,647 in prizemoney. Turvey drove Grin On The Beach 28 times for five wins and nine placings.

Grin On The Beach is out of Beach Madam, a mare who won three events over 1609m in America in 1999.

Wide draw doesn’t stop The Stars Above

Maddison Brown maintained her brilliant form in the sulky when she showed great enterprise to overcome the wide barrier at No. 8 and guide The Stars Above to an easy win in the 2130m Myaree Ceramics Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.

The Stars Above, a $7.30 chance, was driven assertively in the early stages and was able to dash to the front after only 250m. The polemarker Rockmenow ($5) led for the first 100m before Bee Jays Boy ($34) took up the running and then took the sit behind The Stars Above 150m later.

After a lead time of 37.8sec. and an easy opening quarter of 30.7sec. Brown lifted the tempo and The Stars Above sped over the final three quarters in 28.6sec., 28.2sec. and 28.5sec. on his way to winning by just under two lengths from the $2.40 favourite Plutonium, who enjoyed a favourable passage in the one-out, one-back position before Gary Hall jnr sent him forward, three wide, with 600m to travel. He battled on gamely.

Trainer Justin Prentice said that The Stars Above had been a very consistent pacer who had run a lot of places. “He hasn’t had a lot of luck with barrier draws, and he got another wide draw tonight, and I certainly didn’t expect him to be in front from barrier eight,” Prentice said.

“And he didn’t get all the favours in front where he had to survive a fair bit of pressure. He toughed it out well.”

The Stars Above, bred and owned by Bob Fowler, is by Follow The Stars and is the 13th foal out of the unraced Albert Albert mare Miss Jeffries, the dam of nine winners, including former star performers Sassie Brassie (79 starts for 17 wins, 23 placings and $88,985), Hilarion Star (70 starts for 26 wins, 17 placings and $398,394) and Flashing Star (118 starts for 23 wins, 32 placings and $352,888).

The Stars Above now has had 48 starts for seven wins, 24 placings and stakes of $75,633.

Blinkers don’t help Valbonne

Trainer Michael Brennan’s decision to use hood type blinkers on Valbonne almost backfired when the New Zealand-bred five-year-old was in a somewhat reluctant mood when he led and just held on to scramble to a nose victory over Rebel With A Grin in the 2130m Cash Convertors Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.

“I put the blinkers on to sharpen him up,” explained Brennan. “But it didn’t work. He didn’t travel at all, but he got the job done which is the main thing. However, the blinkers will now be coming off.”

Rebel With A Grin, the second fancy at $5.50, started from the No. 1 barrier and led for the first 150m before Michael Grantham sent Valbonne, the $1.50 favourite, to the front. He then had an easy time with a slow lead time of 38.1sec., followed by modest quarters of 30.9sec., 29.6sec. and 29sec.

The final 400m was covered in 28.4sec. and Grantham had to drive the Mach Three gelding hard over the concluding stages to get him home by the narrowest of margins.

Valbonne, who rated 1.57.9, is owned by Albert and Julie Walmsley. He has been a handy performer who now has earned $125,888 from 13 wins and 13 placings from 69 starts.

Jaspervellabeach flies home

Twenty-year-old Emily Suvaljko produced a superb drive to land Jaspervellabeach a thrilling last-stride victory over Nota Bene Denario in the 2130m Elan Energy Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.

Jaspervellabeach, a $4.80 chance and the only back-line runner, trailed the pacemaker Smart Fortune ($12) until Suvaljko eased him off the pegs with 450m to travel. However, Jaspervellabeach was still badly blocked for a clear run after going four wide at the 250m mark. He was sixth in heavy traffic at the 100m before Suvaljko guided him through a narrow opening, and the Victorian-bred four-year-old exploded, out five wide, to get up in the final stride.

Nota Bene Denario ($11) came from out wide at barrier eight to sustain a spirited three-wide burst to move to the breeze at the 1300m. Finally, he wore down the leader to get to the front with about 220m to travel.

Jaspervellabeach, owned and trained by Kristy Elson, is in top form with four wins from his past seven starts. He has earned $182,110 from 11 wins and seven placings from 34 starts and looks set for many more wins.

His win completed a double for Suvaljko, who was successful with Captains Beachbabe earlier in the program. Suvaljko continued in fine form, notching a double with Joey James ($1.34) and The Wizard ($9.50) at Bunbury on Saturday night and scoring with $11.20 chance Sports Central at Kellerberrin on Sunday afternoon when she took advantage of the sprint lane to defeat Areu Talkin and Soho Cash in a three-way photo finish.

Alta Blues does it tough

Champion reinsman Gary Hall jnr chalked up a century of winners for the 17th consecutive season when he drove Alta Blues to an impressive victory in the 2130m Australian Marine Corporation Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.

A week earlier four-year-old Alta Blues was a very easy all-the-way winner over 2536m, but on Friday night, from the wide barrier at No. 8, he revealed abundant toughness. He settled down in ninth position before Hall sent him forward after 200m and he moved to the breeze 100m later.

Power And Grace, the $1.75 favourite, set a modest early pace before the final three 400m sections were covered in 28.3sec., 27.9sec. and 28.8sec.

Alta Blues ($3.50) surged to the front with 200m to travel and he drew away to win by a length from Whoswhointhezoo ($10), with Caveman ($10) running home, out wide, from eighth at the bell to finish third ahead of the tiring Power And Grace and Alta Intrigue.

“Last week from barrier one was the first time we asked him to come out,” said Hall. “Originally, he used to break up a lot, and we had a lot of trouble getting him pacing.

“Tonight, I wanted to come out steady and work my way forward. And he got to the breeze even before I anticipated. He hit a sulky wheel a few times and that made him fire up. He’s the sort of horse that firing up probably helped him to switch on. We have always known he’s tough and can stay.”

Alta Blues now has had 15 starts for eight wins and three seconds for stakes of $64,765.

To Fast To Serious back on track

Mt Helana trainer Ray Williams was a contented man at Gloucester Park on Friday night after Aldo Cortopassi had driven To Fast To Serious to a stylish victory in the 2130m Perth Metalwork Pace.

It was a most satisfying performance after the talented five-year-old had disappointed with his first-up sixth placing behind Boom Time.

“He tricked me up two weeks ago,” said Williams. “I thought he was fit enough, but he must have been a bit above himself. That’s why I trialled him at Byford last Sunday.”

“I’m now hoping that he will work his way through the classes, and the long-range plan will be for him to contest the Fremantle Cup and WA Pacing Cup during the summer carnival.”

To Fast To Serious, the $1.30 favourite from barrier three on Friday night, dashed to the front 120m after the start and he was untroubled to set the pace and win by just under two lengths from Burning Rubber, who trailed him throughout, with a half-length back to the consistent Major Stare.

To Fast To Serious has earned $162,689 from 14 wins and four placings from 25 starts. He is by American stallion Shadow Play and is out of the McArdle mare Smile With Me, who had 40 starts for 10 wins and 15 placings for stakes of $80,819. Smile With Me created a very good impression for trainer-reinsman Bob Mellsop, who started her in 21 races in WA in 2010 for ten wins, including seven wins and a second placing from her first eight starts in the State.

Williams said that Cyclone Banner and Magnificent Storm would soon be resuming racing after spells. “Cyclone Banner should resume next Friday night, and Magnificent Storm will be ready to return early next month,” he said.

Voak lands long-priced double

Chris Voak, last season’s leading West Australian reinsman, continues in wonderful form in the sulky, and he was at the forefront at Gloucester Park on Friday night when he landed a long-priced double.

He completed the double when he brought $11.30 chance Bettor Copagoodone home with a well-timed burst to win the 2130m Metro Steel Fabrication WA Pace. Earlier in the night Voak was successful behind $14.50 chance Major Times, who caused an upset when she defeated champion pacer Chicago Bull.

Bettor Copagoodone raced three back on the pegs in fourth position before Voak eased the mare off the pegs 420m from home. She went three wide on the home turn and finished determinedly to defeat the $1.45 favourite Rakasinc by a half-head at a 1.54.5 rate.

Rakasinc had a tough run in the breeze outside the pacemaking Thereugo ($6.50) and took a narrow lead in the home turn before fighting out the finish with Bettor Copagoodone.

Bettor Copagoodone was having her second start for Hopeland trainer Giles Inwood, who said the five-year-old mare had arrived at his stables in really good shape.

“I thought she could win at Pinjarra on Monday when she missed out by a lip (beaten a short half-head by The Code Breaker),” Inwood said. “She was aided tonight by a very good drive by Voak.”

Voak has enjoyed a good association with the Victorian-bred Bettor Copagoodone, having driven the mare six times for three wins, two seconds and one third placing. She now has raced 54 times for ten wins and 17 placings for earnings of $77,771.

Wonderful To Fly sprouts wings

Pinjarra trainer-reinsman Shane Young is looking forward with confidence to driving Wonderful To Fly in two feature events for two-year-old fillies later this month.

Wonderful To Fly, who is part-owned by Young, gave further proof of her excellent potential when she flew home with a dazzling last-to-first victory in the 1730m Rotary Club of Fremantle Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.

Wonderful To Fly, fourth fancy at $5.60, raced in last position throughout in the seven-horse field and her task appeared hopeless when she was still last when Young eased her off the pegs with just 220m to travel.

Eagle Royalty, the $2.50 favourite, was leading, with stablemate Taking the Miki ($3) in the breeze and $34 outsider Sonic Suzy trailing the pacemaker. Sonic Suzy took a narrow lead in the final 20m but was no match for the flying Wonderful To Fly, who charged home out wide to snatch a dramatic victory by almost a half-length, rating a smart 1.55.8.

“What you saw tonight showed what she is capable of,” said Young. “To come from last when the final 800m was covered in 57.3sec. was very good.

“Now I’m aiming Wonderful To Fly at the $25,000 Westsired feature event for two-year-old fillies next Friday week and the $100,000 Westbred Classic the following week. After that I will determine whether she will run in the $30,000 Gold Bracelet on July 2.

“If she gets through those races in good shape, we might have a look at something else. If she drew one or ten in the Golden Slipper, I think she would be competitive.”

Wonderful To Fly was racing in the one-wide line turning into the back straight in the final lap when Young switched her to the pegs where she was still last at the 250m mark before getting into the clear shortly afterwards.

“I was hedging my bets,” said Young. “I just drove on instinct and a bit of luck. I know she went really good and won, but if she had to go around them, she wouldn’t have won. Tonight, Wonderful To Fly raced a lot truer, and I was in control of her and not her in control of me.”