Saifa causes boilover in Binshaw

Well travelled gelding Saifa (Art Major) having only his second start in Western Australia surprised his more fancied harness racing rivals when he came with a well timed run to take out the $50,000 Binshaw Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday evening.

Eased back in the field at the start by driver Deni Roberts, Saifa was in the back half of the field early.

Favourite Lincoln Lou who drew the pole was expected to lead and punters must have felt confident when he seemed to have an easy run in front although Mr Fantastic wide early put on some pace while racing outside the leader.

The first serious challenge emerged from Soho Moonraker who made a run three wide at the bell and at this point he was followed by Saifa.

To the surprise of many Lincoln Lou didn’t show much fight under pressure and Soho Moonraker swept to the lead on straightening. However Saifa continued to grind away and in a driving finish he held on to beat the fast finishing I’m Lightning Banner who looked unlucky with rank outsider Louis Dore running a fabulous race coming from last to gather in third placing.

Lincoln Lou tired notably to finish at the rear. Saifa rated 1.55.5 for the 2138 metre journey.

SAIFA AUG 29 REPLAY

Now trained by Bob Mellsop for a syndicate of owners Saifa has had an interesting background of racing at many locations in his relatively short career. In fact to date he’s appeared in every Australian state except Tasmania.

The New Zealand bred four year old had just one run at Cambridge as a two year old before joining Adam Ruggari’s stables at Sawyers Gully near Newcastle in New South Wales. He then joined Jason Grimson’s team for a stint at Albion Park for three runs which included a fourth placing in a Heat of the Queensland Derby.

After which Saifa became part of  Andy Gath’s Victorian stables where he finished a close second in a Heat of the South Australian Derby before winning at Melton in June.

Now in the stables of Bob Mellsop Saifa looks well established and ready to make his mark in the West and put the writing on the wall when at his Gloucester Park debut he recorded a credible second a week ago. The Binshaw is easily his most important success.

Deni Roberts indicated that Saifa has potential in the future.

“Last week he needed the run. I didn’t think he would take this bigger step up tonight but the speed was on and he didn’t pull tonight and he finished home really well”.

“I think he definitely has some gate speed. It took every bit of me to get him back and that was off a really quick front line and quick lead time”. “It will be exciting to see where he goes”.

Referring to Bob Mellsop Deni added “ Bob put me on as a junior, I’ve been driving for him for a couple of years now”.

“We’ve formed a really good bond and hopefully we can get some more winners”.

After the event stewards disqualified Lincoln Lou for going inside the market pegs and he’s been stood down for six days and one trial.

For complete race results, click here.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink