Bettor Fortune continued his flawless WA campaign with a dominant win in the Group 3 Western Gateway, stamping himself as the clear favourite for next week’s $200,000 WA Derby. The gelding, trained by Greg and Skye Bond, has now won all six of his WA starts without being extended, and Friday’s victory was another effortless display.
Driver Deni Roberts was glowing in her assessment: “He has a fantastic stride on him, and he doesn’t feel like he is going that quickly.” From the outside of the back line, Bettor Fortune settled in sixth before unleashing a powerful sprint three wide at the 300m mark to win untouched.
(Image: Bettor Fortune)
Stablemate Belly Up ran second, while Troubadour, the second favourite, was blocked for a run and finished eighth despite travelling strongly. Several others, including Captain Stirling, Lincoln Lou, and Elite Fleet, also had their chances hampered.
In one of the most extraordinary performances seen at Gloucester Park in recent memory, Captainshavtime overcame a near-catastrophic start to win the Retravision Pace. The filly swung sideways in the score-up and was at least 100 metres behind the field before catching up and charging to the lead. “She wasn’t entitled to win, but she is just so tough,” said Roberts. “She had lost 100 metres, easily, in the score-up, maybe more.”
Despite the early drama, Captainshavtime ran a bold frontrunning race, clocking 1.55.7 over 2130m and holding off Our Rich Cargo and WA Oaks winner Fakenit, who finished strongly from last. The win was a testament to her grit and conditioning, and capped a treble for Team Bond and Roberts.
Roberts also brought up her 100th win of the season with a surprise victory aboard Tualou in the Golden Nugget Prelude. Sent out at $20.70 from barrier seven, Tualou surged from seventh at the bell to win by a length. “Tualou can do a bit of work in his races, and this was a perfect lead-in for the Nugget,” said Roberts.
“We’ve had a few things go wrong with him, but I think he is back on the right track now.” The Sweet Lou gelding has now won nine of 21 starts and looks primed for a strong showing in the upcoming Nugget.
Brickies Dream announced himself as a genuine WA Pacing Cup contender with a brilliant last-to-first win in the Janette Donnelly Pace. Trainer-driver Robbie Williams timed his run perfectly, following Captain Ravishing three wide before switching four wide and storming home. “In Free-For-Alls you are never confident that you can come from last… but this race was run to suit,” said Williams. “He is getting better and better, and the Pacing Cup is his aim.”
Brickies Dream has now won 15 races and continues to thrive as a sit-sprinter, with his point-to-point speed proving lethal against top company.
Raklou made it two wins from three WA starts with a comfortable victory in the Heather Halford-Black Flag Girl Pace, but her future remains clouded due to a persistent hanging issue. “She hangs on the bends, but has a pretty good motor,” said Gary Hall jnr. “Her future is limited unless we can fix her problem, which I doubt.” Despite wearing spreaders, a pole and a Murphy blind, Raklou continues to hit her knees and may struggle against stronger opposition unless the issue is resolved.
In a race marred by multiple incidents, Opal Hunter emerged unscathed and victorious in the Happy 60th Birthday Heather Sue Pace. Trainer-driver Robbie Williams was relieved to have dodged the chaos. “We were lucky… most of the drivers did well to get out of the way.” Opal Hunter, returning from a 17-month tendon injury layoff, has now won three of four starts this campaign. Williams is hopeful of squeezing into a Golden Nugget start via next week’s prelude.
(Image: Winning connections of Opal Hunter)
Emily Suvaljko celebrated her 25th birthday in style, guiding Penny Black to a strong win in the Group 3 Schrader Pace. The mare settled fourth before taking control early and sprinting home in slick quarters of 27.2 and 27.7 seconds. “She can go that slow quarter early and is sprinting home a lot better. She is a big black beast,” said Suvaljko.
(Image: Penny Black)
Trainer Michael Young has Penny Black aimed at the $100,000 Norms Daughter Classic and the $150,000 Mares Classic, and she looks well placed after two impressive wins since resuming.
The pair also teamed up with Majestic Ga Ga, who led throughout to win the Retravision Trot. “She is not just a frontrunner; she is pretty versatile,” said Young.
Ken Casellas