Himself displays epic stamina in Nugget win

Talented harness racing performer Himself (Sportswriter) let his superior staying power shine through when leading home a trifecta of NZB Standardbred graduates in the A$200,000 Group One Golden Nugget (2536m) at Gloucester Park on Friday night.

After a stirring homestraight battle, Himself edged out Jumpingjackmac (Mach Three) and his stablemate Tenzing Bromac (Bettor’s Delight) as New Zealand-breds dominated Perth’s premier race for four-year-olds.

Himself was purchased by Bob Butt of RJB Racing for $30,000 from breeder-vendors Shard Farm at the 2019 Christchurch National Yearling Sale.

The Greg and Skye Bond trained pacer got well back in the early stages of the Golden Nugget with driver Dylan Egerton-Green.

With the early leaders setting up a scintillating 1:54:0 mile-rate in the 2536m feature, Himself thrived under that pressure with his big staying motor.

“It was an awesome race, I guess the early blistering speed really set it up for the swoopers from the back and we were lucky enough to capitalise,” Skye Bond said.

HIMSELF REPLAY

Himself was raced in New Zealand by Robin and Jackie Butt who sold the pacer to Greg and Skye Bond of Team Bond.

The four-year-old has thrived in Western Australia under the Bond stable’s care, also winning the Group Three Marathon Handicap.

“He is a horse that has settled into our system really well, he’s an easy horse to train, he’s great natured,” Skye Bond said.

“The race, with the really fast tempo early, he really was the toughest horse standing last and he was really there for the fight.”

Himself banked A$116,000 on Friday night when taking his record to 11 wins and seven placings with a total of A$238,861.

Jumpingjackmac added to his outstanding record in Western Australia with his brave second placing behind Himself.

The pacer was secured at the 2019 Christchurch National Yearling Sale from breeder-vendors the Miracle Lodge Syndicate.

With his second placing in Friday night’s feature, Jumpingjackmac ran his second consecutive Group One placing and fourth consecutive Group race placing in his last four starts.

Tenzing Bromac stormed home out of the pack to take third in the Golden Nugget, rounding out a trifecta of NZB Standardbred graduates.

The pacer was purchased for $32,500 by Toliman Lodge out of the Ripple Creek draft at the 2019 Christchurch National Yearling Sale.

For complete Gloucester Park race results, click here.

From NZB Standardbred