BETTORS ACE REVIVES MEMORIES OF SAAB

Memories of former champion pacer Saab were revived at Gloucester Park on Friday night when Bettors Ace stormed home to snatch victory from Scot Bay in the $50,000 Sony Centre Champagne Classic.

Bettors Ace, a Victorian-bred two-year-old, is closely related to Saab, whose victories in a glittering 63-start career included the Western Gateway Pace, the McInerney Ford Classic, the Caduceus Club Classic and Golden Nugget in 1998 and the 1999 WA Pacing Cup before he retired to stud with a record of 21 wins and 18 placings for earnings of $577,197.

Bettors Ace, by American stallion Bettors Delight, is the second foal out of Classic Garry mare Saabette, a winner of $34,378 from her nine wins and six placings from 29 starts.

Saabette is out of New Zealand-bred mare Soky’s Number, who has produced ten winners, including Saab, Talladega (18 wins and $411,680) and Saabella (17 wins and $205,745). Talladega won the 1999 Champagne Stakes before winning the WA Derby the following year.

Bettors Ace was purchased for $40,000 by Kevin Jeavons at the 2009 Perth Gloucester Standardbred yearling sale and Jeavons races the gelding in partnership with Gino Monaco and Lindsay Severn.

Bettors Ace, trained at Byford by Noel Keiley and making only his fourth appearance in a race, was confidently supported from 4/1 to 5/2. He was driven for the first time by Shannon Suvaljko, who had the gelding pacing smoothly behind the pacemaker and even-money favourite Scot Bay before he was able to ease him off the pegs with about 400m to travel.

Bettors Ace switched three wide at the 250m mark and he sprinted home strongly to score by 1m, with Trunkey Galileo, a 99/1 tote outsider, running home stoutly from eighth on the pegs at the bell to be a close third.

Bettors Ace rated 1.59.6 in ending Scot Bay’s unblemished record of five wins. Scot Bay was beaten out from the No. 1 barrier by Master Damon, who got a length clear in the early stages, but was unable to cross to the front.

Blissfull Boy, a winner at his five previous starts, was a 4/1 chance from barrier nine and he never appeared a realistic chance. He settled at the rear before Callan Suvaljko urged him forward at the 1000m mark to move into sixth place, three wide, at the bell. He wilted to finish last.

Go West U Terror, backed from 5/2 to 7/4, raced wide early and then worked hard without cover. He battled on gamely to finish a close fifth.

Shannon Suvaljko predicted a bright future for Bettors Ace, saying: “He’s going to improve in leaps and bounds. He’s a nice relaxed racehorse and is very tractable. He knows what racing is all about. He pushes in, he pushes out and he’s still got that speed at the end.”

 BROWN DECLARES THAT MILLWOOD MEG HAS THE GOODS

“We’re looking pretty good,” declared an up-beat Colin Brown after he had driven outstanding New Zealand-bred filly Millwood Meg to a runaway victory in the second prelude of the Sony WA Oaks at Gloucester Park on Friday night.

Brown was brimful of confidence regarding Millwood Meg’s prospects in the $150,000 Gannons WA Oaks over 2536m next Friday night, pointing out that the longer journey in the rich classic would suit the Mach Three filly who is trained by Greg Bond.

“I fancy her, specially over the 2500m,” Brown said. “She’s proved tonight that she’s super strong and very dour. The barrier draw won’t be that important for her. The good thing is that she can truck into the race at any stage.”

Millwood Meg, favourite at 3/1 on, began well from the No. 4 barrier, with the polemarker Upclass Girl settling in front. Brown then drove Millwood Meg forward, but the filly was reluctant to go past Upclass Girl.

It was not until Grant Williams urged Mizuno forward, three wide, that Millwood Meg got her mind on the job and she forged to the front after 1000m, leaving Mizuno in the breeze until Key Question dashed forward.

Esprit Bromac (33/1) followed the three-wide run of Key Question, with Corza Commotion (5/1) following Esprit Bromac. Corza Commotion moved to third with 350m to travel before wilting to fifth.

Elite Angel (10/1 to 7/1) rattled home from ninth on the pegs at the bell to be an excellent second, beaten 14m, with Esprit Bromac finishing determinedly to be third, ahead of the fast-finishing centerfold Angel.

Millwood Meg sprinted the final 400m in 28.9sec. and rated a smart 1.58.7 over the 2130m.

Brown admitted that he was somewhat concerned in the first lap when Millwood Meg was not anxious to assume the role of pacemaker. “The leader wanted to hand up, but she switched off. I got the plugs out, but she just wouldn’t go to the front until Grant came around. I was so concerned that I forgot all about pulling the shorteners.”

 ARCTIC FIRE WARMS UP IN FINE STYLE

Arctic Fire, favourite at 4/1 on, warmed up for the $150,000 Gannons WA Oaks next Friday night in fine style at Gloucester Park on Friday night when she enjoyed a stroll in the park to crush her rivals in the first prelude of the Sony WA Oaks.

The Ross Olivier-trained New Zealand-bred filly simply carried far too many guns for the opposition as she set the pace and sizzled over the final 400m in 27.7sec. to beat Pole Dancer by just over a length, with Hear No Secret running on from fifth on the pegs at the bell into third place. The winner rated 1.59.6 over 2130m

“I think she’ll go the distance (2536m) and she’s a definite contender for the Oaks,” said a typically laconic Chris Lewis after he had enjoyed an armchair drive.

Smart filly Pole Dancer trailed Arctic Fire throughout and got clear with 220m to travel. She sprinted home well, but was unable to make any impression on the winner.
   
Arctic Fire won once from ten starts in New Zealand before arriving in WA where Olivieri has produced her in magnificent condition for her four impressive wins from four starts.

The Andrew de Campo-trained Miss Kerr maintained her sound form when she was ninth at the bell before finishing solidly on the inside to be fourth.

 WINTER RETREAT DOWNS HAS THE ANSWERS

Consistent WA-bred five-year-old Winter Retreat produced his finest performance in a 53-start career and his trainer Grant Williams gave a superb exhibition in the sulky to land the gelding a magnificent winner over star pacer Has The Answers in the Sony Blu-Ray Disc Player Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.

“That was his personal best and if you can run those sort of times in a 2503m stand you would think he’ll win more races,” an elated Williams said.

Former top-flight jockey Alana Williams, wife of the trainer-driver, declared Winter Retreat a “good thing” after she had ridden the pacer in a stirring bush workout last Tuesday morning.

Winter Retreat is not given any hoppled work and his preparation is confined to galloping in the bush. It is a formula which is paying handsome dividends.

Backed from 5/2 to 6/4 favouritism, Winter Retreat began safely from 20m and Williams was quick to gain an early advantage over Has The Answers (3/1), who was the sole backmarker off 50m.

Our Langee led early and Winter Retreat worked hard, out three wide in the first circuit before forging to the front 1400m from home. At the bell Winter Retreat held a two-length lead over Our Langee, with Gransagenic working in the breeze and Has The Answers at the rear.

Chris Lewis started a three-wide move at the bell and Has The Answers responded superbly as he made a lightning move in the back straight. Winter Retreat led by three lengths at the 500m mark, but Has The Answers threatened great danger as he moved to a close second with 300m to travel.

Then the two top-class pacers settled down to a spirited duel, with Winter Retreat holding his rival at bay down the home straight to go past the post with a 2m margin. Four lengths away in third place was classy mare Ruby Dazzler, who had surged home from last at the bell.

Winter Retreat dashed over the final 800m in 57.8sec. and the last 400m in 28.6sec. He rated 1.59.2, with Has The Answers rating a magnificent 1.57.8. The track record for a 2503m stand is 1.58.6, set by Mysta Magical Mach 13 months ago. Only the times of winners are recognised as records.

“I always wanted to keep the advantage on Has The Answers,” Williams explained. “But    Winter Retreat just took off a bit tonight and I didn’t really have much of a say in that.”

Winter Retreat now boasts a record of 53 starts for 15 wins, 26 placings and stakes of $148,793.

 TOTAL DEFIANCE RECOVERS AND IS BACK TO HIS BEST

Total Defiance, who suffered a hairline fracture of a pastern last November, has made a wonderful recovery and he bounced back to top form with a decisive victory over Palomine and Our gent in the 2503m Sony Cyber Shot Camera Digital Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.

“He’s a very good horse and should continue on his winning ways,” said part-owner-trainer-reinsman Aldo Cortopassi.

The five-year-old New Zealand-bred Total Defiance was favourite at 5/4 and started off the back mark of 30m. His supporters had some cause for concern when he broke into a gallop shortly after the start and settled down a good 60m from the leader Knot Justafireball.

But Cortopassi did not panic and did not bustle the gelding in the first circuit. Total Defiance, last after a lap, started a three-wide move 1200m from home to move to third at the bell.

Hy Royale, who had raced without cover in the middle stages, took a narrow lead 360m from home before wilting after Total Defiance charged to the front 100m from the post.
Palomine finished boldly from ninth at the bell to be an excellent second. Total Defiance, by In The Pocket, sprinted the final 800m in 57.7sec. and rated 2.0.1.

“There were a few circumstances in the race last week which cost him (when fourth behind Just Ludachris) and I thought we’d be a bit smarter this week and drive him a bit differently,” Cortopassi said.

“This week I backed him to beat the other horses and be too strong for them over the last 1200m. At the bell he was under double wraps.”

Total Defiance, who was placed twice from nine New Zealand starts, has been an outstanding performer in WA where his 36 starts have produced 21 wins and six placings.

 THE HUNTER LANDS SOME GOOD WAGERS

The successful combination of Byford trainer Ron Huston and reinsman Shannon Suvaljko struck again at Gloucester Park on Friday night when six-year-old The Hunter landed some good wagers when he proved too good for 2/1 on favourite Ultimate Under Fire in the Sony Bravia LCD Television Stakes.

The Hunter, backed from 9/1 to 7/2, ended a losing sequence of nine when he began speedily from the back line, dashed to the front after a lap and went on to win from outsider Playing The Field and Ultimate Under Fire, rating an extremely slick 1.57.4 over the 2130m journey.

“Not many M0-class horses can run that sort of time,” Suvaljko said. “So I definitely think he will win another couple of races in town. He is looking a million dollars and is very strong at the moment.

“He had a great run early and then got a good run through the field. He was always on the bit.”

The Hunter, by Holmes Hanover and owned by Michael Maxwell, won three races from 12 starts in New Zealand and now has had 31 WA starts for six wins and six placings.
      
Ultimate Under Fire, a stylish winner at his two previous starts, started from the outside barrier on the front line and was restrained to the rear by Chris Lewis before starting a three-wide move approaching the bell. He finished gamely, but was never really a chance of overhauling The Hunter as he sped over the final two 400m sections in 29.1sec. and 28.8sec.

 AGE FAILS TO DIM TEALSBY KARITA’S ENTHUSIASM

Revitalised ten-year-old Tealsby Karita notched his 28th victory and took his earnings to $369,410 when he proved far too strong for his rivals in the Sony PS3 Entertainment Console Stakes over 2130m at Gloucester Park on Friday night.

“He’s too old now to really match it with the best ones, but is ideally suited to these claiming races,” said reinsman Gary Hall jun. after driving the veteran Victorian-bred pacer to an easy two-length win over Touch Me Toes, rating 1.57.7.

Punters rallied to support Tealsby Karita from 4/1 to 2/1 and the son of Kurahaupo Lord raced with youthful enthusiasm. Rostriever Ornum (5/2) set the pace, but always looked susceptible after Tealsby Karita had begun speedily from barrier seven to race on his outside after 550m.

Tealsby Karita gained the upper hand 300m from home and sprinted the final 400m in 28.6sec. to cruise to victory from Touch Me Toes, who had enjoyed a perfect trip behind the pacemaker all the way. Rostriever Ornum battled on gamely into third place.

Tealsby Kartita, winner of the 2007 WA Pacing Cup, is trained at Port Kennedy by Prue Willis, who keeps the gelding fit by galloping exercise in the bush.

Pablito, a fancied runner at 4/1, disappointed in finishing eighth. He started from barrier seven and was restrained to the rear before starting a three-wide move approaching the bell.

 CYCLONE WARRIOR ENDS A LEAN SPELL

Former Victorian pacer Cyclone Warrior ended a losing sequence of 18 when he dashed to an early lead, set a brisk pace and held on to beat outsider Lord Hurst by a half-length in the Sony Alpha Digital SLR Camera Stakes at Gloucester Park on Friday night.

“The owners have been long suffering and the horse has had a lot of bad luck, being held up for clear runs and being checked,” trainer Ross Olivieri said. “This was the race which looked to be ideal for him.”

Cyclone Warrior, a seven-year-old by Safely Kept and second favourite at 6/4, took the lead 350m after the start and relished the frontrunning role. He rated 1.58.6 over the 1730m.

Lord Hurst did well to sustain a solid three-wide burst from seventh at the bell to finish second. Nivea Joe (5/1 to 5/2) trailed the leader and finished third, with Please Release Me (11/8) and unlucky fourth

Please Release Me raced three back on the pegs and was blocked for a clear passage until the race was virtually all over.

Cyclone Warrior, a winner of five races in Victoria, had not been successful since he set the pace and won a 2135m event at Geraldton by seven lengths early last July.

 EARLY FAST PACE SUITS BARLEYS HOPE

Eight years ago Kim Young drove Frankly Operative to victory in a race at Bunbury, and two years later Glenn Pellew was successful with the same pacer at Pinjarra.

And at Gloucester Park on Friday night Young and Pellew combined to win the Sony Vaio Notebook Computer Stakes with Frankly Operative’s first foal, Barleys Hope.

Pinjarra horseman Pellew trains the Kinney Hanover four-year-old mare, who was driven by Young when she finished powerfully to win from Carim Courage and Dilinger Dawn.

Barleys Hope was a 9/1 chance who returned odds of 16/1 on the tote. Barleys Hope settled down well back in ninth position when the early pace was a cracker.

She came with a three-wide burst from seventh at the bell to hit the front 250m from home. Carim Courage was tenth at the bell and then lost ground when checked at the 700m mark.

Miss Makarena, favourite at 6/4, worked before wresting the lead from Kintori 630m after the start. She wilted badly to finish last.

“We were pretty lucky with that early speed,” Young said. “And for a change we didn’t have to do all the work. In the first lap we were battling to keep up and were a couple of lengths off the horse in front of us. 

“But coming into the bell Barleys Hope began to travel a lot better and she toughed it out good.”

Frankly Operative was retired after having 53 starts for five wins, 13 placings and stakes of $16,700. Barleys Hope now has earned $36,320 from her four wins and 11 placings from 27 starts.

 LITTLE SONNY BILL TURNS THE TABLES

New Zealand-bred five-year-old Little Sonny Bill, who rattled home to finish second to Me Ole Mate Lombo at Gloucester Park last Friday week, turned the tables when he flashed home to beat that pacer by a length in the Sony 200HZL CDTV Stakes on Friday night.

Little Sonny Bill was backed from 9/1 to 6/1, while Me Ole Mate Lombo, attempting to complete a hat-trick, eased from 5/2 on to start at 5/4 on.
Sparkling speed at both ends of the race were the key factors in Little Sonny Bill’s success. After starting from the No. 5 barrier, Little Sonny Bill (by Falcon Seelster) burst to the front after 150m.

Kyle Harper then surrendered the lead to outsider Our Slick Whitby 350m later and from then on Little Sonny Bill enjoyed a perfect trip behind the pacemaker. After starting from the outside barrier and being eased to the rear, Me Ole Mate Lombo dashed forward after a lap to race outside the leader.

Me Ole Mate Lombo got to a narrow lead 250m from home, but was unable to stave off the fast-finishing Little Sonny Bill, who sped over the final 400m in 28.7sec.

Our Slick Whitby held on strongly to be third, with Tuapeka Tiz finishing strongly from last at the bell to be fourth.