Connections of Libertybelle Midfrew Photo by Paceway Photos
Up-and-coming superstar Waylade erased the name of star pacer David Hercules from the record books with a dazzling performance at Gloucester Park on Monday afternoon and his clash with Libertybelle Midfew and Bettors Fire in the 2536m Regency Foods Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night promises to be a highlight of the ten-event program.
The four-year-old New Zealand-bred stallion simply sizzled on Monday when he sprinted brilliantly from seventh (and last) at the bell to burst to the front at the 400m mark and then race away and win by three and a half lengths from the pacemaker Fernleigh Rebel. He rated a dazzling 1.52.9 to smash the course record of 1.53.6 set by David Hercules on May 24, 2013.
That gave Waylade his fifth win from five starts in his current preparation. His only defeat in his past nine starts was when he finished a gallant second to Libertybelle Midfrew in the Golden Nugget Championship over 2536m early last December. Now, this week Waylade gets his chance to get his revenge on Libertybelle Midfrew.
It will not be a simple task. Libertybelle Midfrew will start from the No. 2 barrier on the front line and looks certain to lead. And Bettors Fire also demands great respect.
Waylade is quite inexperienced, having raced only 15 times for ten wins and four seconds. Trainer Gary Hall sen. has given Waylade a comparatively easy program leading into this week’s event, with his main objective being to give the horse much-needed experience and confidence.
Libertybelle Midfrew, trained by Mike Reed, notched her 14th victory from 33 starts when she began from the outside in a field of nine and settled in last position before dashing forward, three wide, to burst to the front at the 1200m mark on her way to a 2m victory over Jungle Jewel, rating 1.55.9 over 1730m after a final quarter in 27.8sec.
Bettors Fire, trained and driven by Kyle Harper, is a richly-talented six-year-old who has won 24 times from 57 starts. He made a wonderful return to racing after a five-month absence when he started from barrier six in a 1730m Free-For-All last Friday week.
He raced in sixth position in the one-wide line before he sprinted home strongly, out five wide, to finish second to the pacemaker John of Arc, who rated 1.53.4 after final sectionals of 27.9sec. and 27sec.
Harper, who celebrated his 25th birthday on Tuesday, was contemplating running Bettors Fire in the BOTRA Cup on Friday night --- after he had won the cup at his only two attempts, with 25/1 chance Outstandin in 2012 and with the 2/1 favourite Springsteen in 2013.
“He was handicapped off 50m in the cup and I finally decided to start him in the mobile event,” Harper explained. “It’s a very good field in the mobile, Libertybelle Midfrew, Waylade and Northview Punter. The beauty of my horse is that he’s got the speed to go forward if he wants. And he can also sit and sprint like he showed at his first-up run.
“At this point I haven’t decided on my tactics. It’s a classy field, but he’s got some hope. Running over 2536m second-up is no great worry. It’s always hard to go from a mile to 2500m, especially in top grade. But Bettors Fire is a horse who on multiple occasions has been able to perform well when switching distances.
“I was ecstatic with his first-up performance. I was expecting him to run fourth or fifth from his barrier draw and I was really pleased with his effort. This will not be a long campaign for him. Then he will have a short break before he goes back into work to be ready for the interdominion championship series.”