Hynam enjoying his best season

Byford trainer Craig Hynam is enjoying his best harness racing season, and he kept up the good work with Louie Lebeau (American Ideal) winning the final event, the $21,000 James Webb Member Since 2008 Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.

This gave the 41-year-old Hynam his 13TH success for the year to equal his tally of 13 winners in 2023 and 2024. He is well and truly on target to exceed his career record of 14 winners in 2021.

Louie Lebeau was a $10.60 chance from the No. 5 barrier on Friday night when he was handled for the first time in a race by champion reinsman Gary Hall jnr. The win completed a treble for Hall, who had been successful with My Silver Spoon and Bluto earlier in the program.

Pushbutton Rock ($6.50) began speedily from the No. 2 barrier and beat out the polemarker and $2.45 favourite Pocket the Change, and with Pushbutton Rock setting a solid pace, Hall was happy to enjoy a perfect sit in the one-out, one-back position and following the breeze horse and $2.90 second fancy Hale Saint Louie.

LOUIE LEBEAU REPLAY

Hale Saint Louie looked the winner when he took the lead 420m from home, but he was unable to hold out Louie Lebeau, who swept to the front 60m from the post.

This gave Louie Lebeau his first success for 19 months and took his record to 59 starts for six wins, 27 placings and stakes of $84,834. Before arriving in WA Louie Lebeau had raced five times in New Zealand for one third placing at Alexandra Park in 2021.

Louie Lebreau is by American Ideal and is the first foal out of unraced Artsplace mare Unlikely Lady.