Pinjarra owner-trainer Russell Eddy is being rewarded for his patience with nine-year-old pacer Cams Boulder, who is enjoying his best season on the track after proving a problem for many years.
Cams Boulder, a $7.50 chance, was driven assertively by Ryan Warwick when he began from barrier six, raced three wide for the first 350m and then set a solid pace before winning by a half-length from the $2.90 favourite Saifa.
The New Zealand-bred Saifa, a smart performer in Victoria, was far from disgraced at his WA debut when he began from the back line and raced in seventh position in the one-wide line before starting a three-wide move approaching the bell and fighting on determinedly. He will pay to follow.
After a fast lead time of 36.1sec. Cams Boulder relaxed with opening quarters of 31.7sec. and 30.2sec. before sprinting over the final 400m sections in 28.9sec. and 28.6sec. He rated 1.57.5.
“He has been hard work, but slowly he has decided to work along with us,” said Eddy. “There is no reason why he needs to stop racing while he is healthy and happy.”
Eddy explained that he had encountered major problems with Cams Boulder for much of his career, saying: “He fractured a cannon bone, suffered from abscesses a lot and his manners were poor.
“I’ve had him since he was a weanling when he was left over after his owner and trainer Clive Dalton returned to Victoria, and I said yes when he asked me if I wanted him.”
So, Dalton, who decided to go back to Victoria in January 2017 after campaigning in WA in 2015 and 2016 and winning 14 races with the brilliant Swedish trotter Cardigan Boko, gave him as a gift to the Eddy family.
Cams Boulder is by American sire Cams Fool and is the only one of Western Terror mare Beautiful Night’s three foals to have raced.
Beautiful Night raced 54 times for nine wins, 16 placings and $70,699. Friday night’s success improved Cams Boulder’s record to 65 starts for 11 wins, 19 placings and stakes of $110,209.
By Ken Casellas