Gloucester Park review

Gloucester Park harness racing review with Ken Casellas

He’s driven in races at York in the north of England, on the grass track at Aberystwyth in Wales, on most tracks in Western Australia, in races at Menangle and Penrith in New South Wales, at Globe Derby Park in South Australia, and has appeared on Sweden’s major track, Solvalla in Stockholm, driving in pre-race warm-ups for leading trainer Stefan Melander.

That’s 40-year-old Hayden Charles, who celebrated his biggest success in harness racing when he drove Chief Copy (My Hard Copy) to victory in the $30,000 Beau Rivage Westsired listed classic for two-year-old colts and geldings at Gloucester Park on Friday night.

Charles, a qualified accountant who worked for nine years in the finance industry in London, has been back home in WA for the past five years and is now enjoying a full-time involvement in harness racing.

“It’s nice to win a Gloucester Park feature race at last,” he said after guiding Chief Copy, the $2.50 favourite to an all-the-way win for 76-year-old owner-trainer Charlie Luca.

“I have always wanted to win a major race, and it is great to win for Charlie, who has supported me throughout my career as a driver. My first win at Gloucester Park, and my second career win, was with Rattlesnake, who was trained by Charlie.”

CHIEF COPY REPLAY

Rattlesnake was handled for the first time in a race by Charles when he beat Via Las Vegas by a head in a 2100m C1-C2 event on October 22, 2001.

Chief Copy had a much easier victory on Friday night when Charles took him to the front after 100m and he was not extended in coasting to victory by three lengths over $6.50 chance Rox The World, rating 2.0.7 over the 2130m after dashing over the final 400m in 28.4sec.

“He did it very easily,” said Charles. “He was unlucky not to have won the Champagne Classic in which he got squeezed up and broke, and he also was unlucky when unplaced in the Western Crown Classic.”

Chief Copy, a colt by former star pacer My Hard Copy, is the only foal out of Kamendable Lass, who had 98 starts for seven wins, 21 placings and stakes of $67,816. Chief Copy is also related to former star mare Lombo Rapida, who earned $790,629 from 27 wins and 31 placings from 93 starts. Lombo Rapida’s wins included the 1999 WA Oaks and she finished second to Havago in the 2001 WA Pacing Cup.

Luca said that Chief Copy was so small that he was not entered for the 2022 APG Perth yearling sale. “I then bought him from his breeder Bill Hayes, and he has paid for himself,” he said.

Friday night’s success was Luca’s most significant win since he bred, owned, trained and drove Ricky Lane to victory over Better Than Jac and Dicks Choice in the $10,000 Spring Gift at Gloucester Park in November 1996.

“Chief Copy has shown me a lot more at home than he has in his races,” said Luca. “When I broke him in, I thought he was one of my best ones.”

Atkins breaks the drought

Mundijong hobby trainer Terry Atkins broke through for his first metropolitan-class winner for almost 12 years when his promising young pacer I Cross My Heart (My Hard Copy) scored an impressive victory in the $30,000 Beau Rivage Westsired listed classic for two-year-old fillies at Gloucester Park on Friday night.

His previous Friday night city winner was Blissful Snag on September 23, 2011.

“I have always had one or two pacers in work, and I haven’t had anything good enough to race in town since Blissful Snag,” said the 76-year-old Atkins.

I Cross My Heart, a filly by former brilliant pacer My Hard Copy, was the $2.10 favourite who was given a perfect trip by star reinsman Aldo Cortopassi, who was content to sit behind the well-supported $3.30 second fancy Dekla Diva, who was smartest into stride from the No. 1 barrier.

Dekla Dive was able to amble through the lead time in 38.1sec. and the opening quarters of 33.2sec. and 31.8sec. in an Indian file affair.

“I was happy to trail the pacemaker with my only concern being that something could come and cover us up,” said Cortopassi. “But everything worked out well.”

Cortopassi eased I Cross My Heart off the pegs 550m from home and the filly took the lead on the home turn and won by a half-length from Dekla Diva, with the final 400m sections being run in 29sec. and 28.4sec. The winner rated 2.1.3 over the 2130m.

I Cross My Heart, a half-head second to Rocknroll Train on debut at Pinjarra, is the sixth foal out of unraced mare Stars Aligned, will be set for the $100,000 Diamond Classic on August 18.

“I bid for her at the yearling sales last year, but stopped at my limit of $17,000,” said Atkins. “She was then passed in and I was able to lease her off her breeder Bill Hayes and I race her with my wife Jill.

“I also have I Cross My Heart’s half-brother Goldngalaxy (a winner at Bunbury in December and at Northam in February). He is just a plodder but I Cross My Heart has good point-to-point speed. I broke her in, and the first time I put the gear on her she did everything I asked her to do.”

Atkins also trains Copy Of Paris, a $9.50 chance in Friday night’s event who led by a neck in the early stages before breaking into a gallop 100m after the start when she shied at a shadow on the track.

Himself is on the way up

New Zealand-bred five-year-old Himself (Sportswriter) boosted his earnings to $290,096 and notched his 13TH win from 29 starts when he revealed splendid fighting qualities to stave off a spirited late challenge to beat Finvarra by a half-neck in the 2130m TAB Radio Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.

The daunting news for the connections of his rivals in upcoming events is that the best is yet to come, with Skye Bond, who trains the Sportswriter gelding in partnership with her husband Greg, saying: “He is still learning and is very relaxed. He’s like a diesel and takes a bit of time to wind up.”

Himself was the $1.20 favourite from the No. 1 barrier in Friday night’s $23,750 event, and Deni Roberts was able to give him an easy time in front with a slow lead time of 38.7sec. and modest opening quarters of 31.3sec. and 29.6sec. before smart final 400m sections of 28.3sec. and 27sec.

Finvarra, the $3.40 second fancy in the field of four, raced in last position before Gary Hall jnr eased him off the pegs with 650m to travel and dashed him forward to get his head in front 400m from home. But Himself fought back determinedly to regain the lead.

Himself is out of the McArdle mare Shards Of Myross, who managed just one win and four placings from 21 starts for earnings of $7135. He won at three of his 11 New Zealand appearances and has blossomed in WA where his 18 starts have produced ten wins and four seconds.

“He has had just three runs after resuming from a spell and will most likely run in the BOTRA Cup and Winter Cup next month before having a break and then coming back to get ready for the Fremantle and WA Pacing Cups in the summer,” said Mrs Bond.

Bad looks belie his ability

Watching Our Coin (Hes Watching) is far from a stylish pacer, but his unattractive style belies his undoubted ability.

The New Zealand-bred five-year-old improved his WA record to five wins and three placings from eight starts when he worked hard, three wide for the first circuit and then in the breeze before winning the 2130m Bau Rivage Buffet Dining Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.

He was the $3.20 favourite from the awkward draw at barrier No. 6 and he revealed excellent fighting qualities to overcome his tough run to get to the front just over 100m from the post before winning by a metre from the pacemaker and $3.70 second fancy Rock On Top, rating 1.56.8 over the 2130m journey, with a smart final 400m of 28.6sec.

WATCHING OUR COIN REPLAY

“His style is terrible, and he is horrible to watch,” said trainer Michael Young. “He just slugs around and sticks his head in front on the line and wins. He is tough and has a big heart. I think he is pretty good, but I don’t know how good he is. I’m looking forward to seeing how he goes.”

Watching Our Coin, driven by Gary Hall jnr, certainly gives promise of developing into an open-class performer and improving considerably on his record of six wins, 11 placings and stakes of $63,458 from 36 starts. He has blossomed in WA after winning one race (a 2600m stand at Addington in February 2022) from 28 starts in New Zealand.

A cakewalk for The Code Breaker

Victorian-bred six-year-old The Code Breaker (American Ideal) is bred in the purple and he maintained his wonderfully consistent form when he simply enjoyed a stroll in the park on his way to scoring an effortless victory in the 2130m The West Australian Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.

The Ryan Bell-trained The Code Breaker was the $1.70 favourite from the prized No. 1 barrier in the field of six runners. Kyle Symington got him away perfectly and he just jogged through the lead time in a very slow 40.5sec. and the opening quarter in 33.1sec.

The Code Breaker then ran the next three 400m sections in 30.2sec., 28.4sec. and 28sec. on his way to coasting to a one-length win over $9.50 chance Beat City, who finished solidly from fourth at the bell.

The Mustang ($4.80) was third after trailing the leader all the way, while Blitzembye ($6) finished fourth after racing without cover over the final 1400m.

The Code Breaker is by American sire American Ideal and is the ninth foal out of the Caprock mare Alldatglittersisgold. He has raced 66 times for 15 wins, 25 placings and $150,835 in stakes.

His full-brother Bletchley Park has earned $418,028 from 20 wis and 24 placings from 75 starts which include a half-head second to Franco Edward in the 2018 Golden Slipper and a second to Major Trojan in the 2019 WA Derby.

The Code Breaker is also a half-brother to outstanding pacers Baby Bling and Bling It On.

Baby Bling raced 55 times for 21 wins, ten placings and stakes of $854,490. She won the Australian Oaks at Melton in 2011, the $100,000 Mares Classic at Gloucester Park in 2012 and the 2013 Miracle Mile at Menangle. Bling It On was retired with a record of 100 starts for 49 wins, 24 placings and $1,882,957 in prizemoney. He won six group 1 events, six group 2 features and two at group 3 level.

Medieval Man does it tough

Hardy pacer Medieval Man (Renaissance Man) thrives on working hard in his races, and he ended a losing sequence of 15 when he did all the tough work in the 2130m Nova 93.7 Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night and emerged triumphant.

He was a well-supported $13.30 chance from barrier two on the back line and Lindsay Harper wasted little time in sending the WA-bred six-year-old forward from the rear with a three-wide burst 300m after the start.

Medieval Man moved quickly to the breeze, with the $1.40 favourite Cowboys N Bandits setting the pace. Harper did not apply any pressure on the pacemaker as he kept Medieval Man more than a length behind when racing without cover.

Cowboys N Bandits dashed over the third quarter of the final mile in 28.8sec. before Harper asked Medieval Man for an effort, and the gelding finished strongly to get to the front in the final 20 metres to win by a half-length, with a final 400m in 29.3sec.

Medieval Man, trained by Craig Hynam, is by Renaissance Man and is out of the Bettors Delight mare So Crimsonandclova, who had 34 starts for six wins, eight placings and $32,253.

Medieval Man, whose previous victory was when he raced in the breeze and beat Rock Me Over at Gloucester Park early in February this year. His win on Friday night was not unexpected, considering that he had performed strongly with placings behind High Price, My Prayer and Classic Choice at his three previous starts.

He now has earned $172,873 from 18 wins and 22 placings from 117 starts.

U.S. interest in Moonlite Drive

Recent American interest in buying Moonlite Drive (Bettors Delight) probably was intensified after the New Zealand-bred six-year-old gave a typical splendid frontrunning performance to win the Westral Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.

The son of champion sire Bettors Delight was the $2.50 favourite from the No. 1 barrier, and Maddison Brown rated him perfectly in front to land him a neck winner over the fast-finishing $19 chance Onesmartfella.

“I don’t think he has been beaten when he has led,” said trainer Michael Young. “He struggles a bit with the front straight start (for 1730m events) as most horses do. But I was confident he would hold up and lead (from the No. 1 barrier) from the front straight start (for the 2536m event) because from barrier one in a 1730m event two starts ago he got out well and almost held out Floewriter.

“He might end up in the States. There is interest around and maybe this win might seal the deal.”

Moonlite Drive, who ended a losing sequence of nine, has earned $148,780 from 66 starts. After one win in New Zealand and four in Victoria he has raced 31 times in Western Australia for eight wins, seven seconds and four thirds.

Seven of his eight WA wins have come when he has set the pace. He is also a specialist over 2536m, having started over that distance nine times for five wins, two seconds, one third and one tenth placing.

A first for Mighty Conqueror

Outstanding veteran pacer Mighty Conqueror (American Ideal) has resumed after a spell in wonderful form, and he notched up a first when he was successful for the first time in a 1730m event at Gloucester Park on Friday night.

He was a hot $1.10 favourite from the No. 1 barrier when Deni Roberts drove him to a smart all-the-way victory in the Retravision Pace, in which he sped over the final two quarters in 28.1sec. and 27.5sec. and beat his stablemate Patronus Star ($4.40) by just under a length, rating 1.544.5.

This followed his seconds behind Magnificent Storm and Shockwave in 2536m events at his previous starts, the first two after a spell.

“The 1730m trip is not his favourite distance, but he did what he needed to do,” said Skye Bond, who trains Mighty Conqueror in partnership with her husband Greg.

“He has come back in brilliant fashion. He has had a lot of feet trouble over the years, and, touch wood, they’re good. He will probably have a couple of more starts before a spell before coming back to contest the major Cup races in the summer.”

Mighty Conqueror, a son of American Ideal, has amassed $691,653 in prizemoney from his 22 wins and 17 placings from 62 starts.

Dontbesillychilli’s spectacular burst

Smart four-year-old Dontbesillychilli (Western Terror) revealed dazzling speed when she came from last in the field of twelve with 500m to travel to burst to the front 200m later and then career away and win the $30,000 GPHR Lewis Pace for mares at Gloucester Park on Friday night.

She was a $53.70 outsider from the outside (No. 9) barrier and was restrained to the rear by Dylan Egerton-Green, who was content to stay there until the frontrunner and $21 chance Our Star Billing slackened the pace after opening quarters of 29.6sec. and 29.7sec.

The third quarter was run in a modest 31.1sec. when Egerton-Green made his dashing move. The final 400m was covered in 28.9sec. and Dontbesillychilli romped home by four and a half lengths from the $1.80 favourite Acharne Girl, rating 1.56.8 over the 2130m.

Acharne Girl began from the inside of the back line, and she trailed the pacemaker before being hopelessly blocked for a clear run while Dontbesillychilli had established a commanding lead. Eventually, Gary Hall jnr was able to get Acharne Girl into the clear about 200m from home. She then sprinted home brilliantly in a lost cause.

Egerton-Green’s dashing drive was reminiscent of his first drive behind Dontbesillychilli as a two-year-old in a 1730m event at Gloucester Park in August 2021 when she was restrained from barrier seven and was sixth with 400m to travel before she charged home to win from Sall Street Girl at a 1.57.7 rate.

Dontbesillychilli, bred by Bunbury trainer Sarah Wall and her husband Chris, has earned $116,902 from nine wins and 12 placings from 41 starts. She is by American sire Western Terror and is out of the Live Or Die mare Justlikechocolate, who earned $188,937 from 13 wins and 19 placings from 48 starts.

Mrs Wall also trains seven-year-old gelding Alta Rhett, a half-brother to Dontbesillychilli, who finished fourth behind Moonlite Drive earlier in Friday night’s program.

A tonic for Warwick

Former champion trainer-reinsman Trevor Warwick received a welcome tonic on Friday night when diminutive filly Fly To Fame (Follow The Stars) charged home from the rear to win the $20,250 Beau Rivage Christmas In July Pace at Gloucester Park.

Warwick was in St John Of God Hospital in Subiaco recovering from successful back surgery on Thursday when Fly To Fame, trained by his wife Katja, overcame the disadvantage of starting from the outside barrier (No. 9) on the front line to score an impressive victory as a $21 chance, despite her easy win at her previous outing, a fortnight earlier.

Chris Lewis restrained Fly To Fame to the rear in the field of twelve while $8.50 chance Our Lililou was setting the pace after a fast lead time of 35.3sec.

The opening quarter was covered in a smart 28.9sec. while Lewis was content to keep Fly To Fame in eleventh position. Lewis switched Fly To Fame three wide approaching the bell, and she sustained her effort and went five wide on the home turn before getting to the front 110m from the post and winning by a neck from $23 chance Sweet Vivienne, who had come from the rear, with Fly To Fame following her.

Sweet Vivienne took the lead 220m from home but was unable to hold off the fast-finishing Fly To Fame, who had set the pace from barrier one and had scored an easy win a fortnight earlier.

“She is not just a frontrunner,” said Mrs Warwick. “She can do anything you want her to do. She is getting better and better all the time and I just don’t know what her limits are. She will now run in the $30,000 Westsired feature event for three-year-old fillies next Friday night.”

Fly To Fame, a Follow The Stars filly bred and owned by Bob Fowler, has raced 29 times for six wins, 12 placings and $90,222 in prizemoney.

While in hospital Trevor Warwick mentioned to doctors that he had a sore wrist, the result of being kicked a week or so ago by two-year-old colt Allwoods Chevron, a half-brother to Fly To Fame. X-rays then revealed that he had suffered a fractured wrist, which is now in a plaster cast.

Cousins celebrates at Lord’s

Not only was former champion footballer Bryan Cousins enjoying Australia doing battle with England in the second Ashes Test match at the famous Lord’s ground in London, but he was excited as he watched his mobile phone showing his five-year-old pacer Carabao (American Ideal) winning the $20,250 Direct Trades Supply Handicap at Gloucester Park on Friday night.

He bred and owns Carabao, who set the pace and won the 2503m standing-start event by a length and a half from Verano, another five-year-old he owns.

Both Carabao and Verano were $8 chances, with Chris Voak training and driving Carabao, and Mitch Miller driving Verano for trainer Kim Prentice.

Cousins has enjoyed great success as a breeder and owner of pacers after retiring from an outstanding football career as a speedy and skilful rover for Perth and Geelong, with a major highlight being his win in the 1983 Sandover Medal.

Voak got Carabao away fast from barrier three on the front line and the American Ideal gelding relished the role of pacemaker, and he gave his rivals little hope by sprinting over the final 400m sections in 27.6sec. and 28sec. Verano fought on gamely after enjoying the perfect trail behind the frontrunning Carabao.

The $1.65 favourite Peter Petrify had a tough run in the breeze throughout before wilting to finish fourth.

“Carabao showed a bit of class tonight,” said Voak. “He is capable of winning more standing-start races, but I am also considering trying to qualify to start in the John Higgins Memorial (a $50,000 group 3 mobile event) next moth.

“His feet have been a problem throughout his career. But I think I have got on top of the problem, and pain-free tonight he has done it really easily.”

Carabao has now had 49 starts for eight wins, 17 placings and $92,452 in prizemoney. He is the third foal out of the Western Terror mare Escovedo, who also produced Galante, a winner of $184,340 from 14 wins and 30 placings from 89 starts. Galante had 44 starts in WA for seven wins and 15 placings before continuing his career in America in 2021.

For complete Gloucester Park results, click here.

by Ken Casellas, for Gloucester Park