Late burst delivers upset for Insurgency

Promising filly Insurgency (American Odeal) caused an upset when she finished with a resolute burst to beat the $1.30 favourite Im Category Five, who was bidding for her sixth win at her tenth harness racing appearance, in the 2130m Garrard’s Pesticides Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.

INSURGENCY REPLAY

Trained by Debra Lewis and driven by her husband Chris, Insurgency was the $4.90 second fancy in the small field of six. She led from barrier four before Dylan Egerton-Green sent Im Category Five to the front after 120m.

Insurgency ran home strongly to get to the front 45m from the post and she beat the favourite by a neck, rating 2.0.1.She is by champion sire American Ideal and is the first foal out of Advance Attack mare The War Nurse, who earned $114,904 from ten wins and 16 placings from 50 starts, with Lewis driving her for three metro-class wins, including a group 3 Westbred mares event in June 2019.

Pinjarra horseman Shane Young trained Insurgency during her early preparation and gave her four starts in September and October for a second at Gloucester Park and three thirds at Pinjarra before returning her to the Lewis training establishment just over a week ago.

Blythewood trainer Michael Munro continued his run of successes with pacing mares when Tom Nally drove Star Lilly, the $3 favourite, to a smart win in the Vale Don Martin Pace.

Star Lilly raced three wide for the first 450m before getting to the front and setting the pace and beating the fast-finishing Era ($8) by one and a half lengths. This was Star Lilly’s third win this season for Munro, who has won three races with Candy Apple and two with Paroquet this year.

Star Lilly is by Betterthancheddar and is the only foal out of Awesome Desire, who raced 71 times for eight wins, 16 placings and $56,226. Star Lilly now has earned $102,626.

For complete race results, click here.

by Ken Casellas, for Gloucester Park