Greg and Skye Bond back in the winning circle

The Greg and Skye Bond stable returned with a vengeance at Friday night’s Gloucester Park meeting with a harness racing double courtesy of Golden Lode (Always B Miki) and the classy stallion Lusaka (Sweet Lou) who prevailed in the main event of the evening the Rotary Club of Fremantle Pace.

Golden Lode was on the second row with Blaze On favourite.

In a tactical race Deni Roberts on Golden Lode worked their way from the second line early to race up to the front pack with Gully Gum leading from barrier five.

Favourite Blaze On was back at the rear but his driver Emily Suvaljko made a run with just under two laps left to travel out three wide. However Roberts had no intention of surrendering the one out position outside the leader and Blaze On was caught three wide from then onwards.

Golden Lode despite the harder run gradually edged to the front and at the finish had just under three metres to spare from Gully Gum with Rockandrollartist a distant third.

Soho Honey Rider who had been behind the leader broke on the final bend and finished down the track. On examination after the event a condition was reported with the mare which resulted in a seven day ban and the need to run a satisfactory trial.

GOLDEN LODE JUL 25 REPLAY

Golden Lode has always shown himself to be above average and as a late three year old was successful in the San Simeon. There’s a touch of class about him and he’s ready to step up in the grades.

Lusaka broke through for a well deserved win with a dashing all the way display in the Rotary Club of Fremantle Pace.

Stablemate Vegas Strip showed blistering speed out of the mobile to lead early but driver Tom Nally gave up the lead to Lusaka and from then on driver Deni Roberts allowed him to stroll along in the lead.

Favourite Sky Lou was caught racing outside the leader and Rolling Fire and Mighty Ronaldo who were off the second line were both back at the rear of the field.

LUSAKA JUL 25 REPLAY

Lusaka was travelling so well that gained a winning break on leaving the back straight. Meanwhile Rolling Fire and Mightly Ronaldo were making runs out wide but with the leader running the last two quarters in 28.3 and 27.4 seconds they had little chance of catching Lusaka.

At the business end of the race Lusaka had just under eight metres to spare from Talks Up A Storm who finished well for second after being bottled up on the rails with Vegas Strip holding on for third.

Sky Lou weakened notably to finish a clear last. A vets examination after the race revealed no abnormalities.

Lusaka’s driver Deni Roberts wasn’t sure of her chances of getting the early lead.

She stated  “no not originally but when Vega Street found the front then I think he’s definitely stepped up in grade because like with Golden Lode tonight they’ve both stepped up. They both got an opportunity and get good positions and be up there amongst them. He felt super.”

She added “If you go back and see when he last led. Its been years He used to beat all the best in his age group when he found the front. With the new system he doesn’t draw well but he’ll go toe to toe with them.”

For complete race results, click here.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink