WILLIAMS AIMS PRECIOUS DYLAN FOR PINJARRA CUP

Now for the Pinjarra Cup. That’s the immediate aim for Precious Dylan after the brilliant eight-year-old had produced a sizzling finishing burst to beat Has The Answers in the Bosch Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.

“Pinjarra is his track and we’re looking forward to the Cup,” Williams said. “A win in the Cup would certainly top things off in his comeback.”

Williams is thrilled at Precious Dylan’s magnificent form since resuming after an absence of 19 months after the gelding damaged the suspensory ligament in his nearside foreleg in the August Cup in 2008.

And he is bubbling with confidence that Precious Dylan will be able to give him his fourth driving success in the Pinjarra Cup after winning with Collector in 1999, Franco Eagle in 2000 and Shardons Aflyin in 2006.

Collector and Franco Eagle were trained by his father Ray, and he prepared Shardons Aflyin.

Precious Dylan is unbeaten in four starts in his comeback to racing and Williams is keeping his fingers crossed that the New Zealand-bred pacer will remain sound and be able to contest rich carnival events at Gloucester Park next summer.

“He’s got through a trial and four races and his leg is super,” Williams said. “Touch wood, he’ll be able to race in the summer. We’re looking forward to the summer, but we know that with the problems he’s had, we’re just going to take it one race at a time.”

Asked if he considered Precious Dylan to be the best pacer in WA, Williams replied: “I’m always going to say my horse. But obviously there’s Has The Answers and Im Themightyquinn. It will be a good race when those three bump into each other.”

Williams declared that he had never trained or driven a pacer who was capable of sprinting as fast as Precious Dylan. “Shardons Aflyin was close, but Precious Dylan can do it in such a short space of time.”

Precious Dylan, who had seven starts in New Zealand as a three-year-old for one win and a second, made a remarkable start to his Australian career, with his first 20 starts in WA producing 17 wins (including 12 in a row) and two placings. He now has a career record of 58 starts for 26 wins, 12 placings and stakes of $315,703.

Precious Dylan was cut down at his prime. He was favourite in the 2008 August Cup and was storming home before being forced six wide on the home turn. “He just copped a bump and injured his nearside suspensory,” Williams said.

“We were giving him 12 months off after he had undergone an operation. He had stem cell treatment, but eight months into that 12 months, he got a brand new hole in the same leg, but on the opposite side. He went to Murdoch Hospital for further stem cell treatment and we then had to give him a new 12 months off.

“I didn’t give up hope that he would recover and be able to race again. I always hoped, but I always said that if the horse didn’t feel the same horse, then I would never start him.

“The first day I trialled him, at Pinjarra two months ago, I couldn’t believe it. He won the trial and he felt just as good as he had ever felt. He had all the same head throwing and the speed and everything. He raced eight days later and won at Pinjarra.”

Precious Dylan started from 40m in his comeback race and stormed home to beat Village Steel by a head, sprinting the final 800m in under 56sec. and the last 400m in 27.4sec. Then followed an all-the win at a 1.56.6 rate over 2100m at Bunbury before he sat behind the pacemaking Has The Answers and finished fast to beat the star pacer by a length in the 2536m Anzac Day Memorial Pace at Gloucester Park.

On Friday night in a field of eight, Precious Dylan started from barrier seven, with Has The Answers on the outside at No. 8. Precious Dylan was second tote favourite at 6/4, with Has The Answers at 5/4 on.

Both Precious Dylan and Has The Answers exploded forward as soon as the mobile barrier sent the field on its way, with Has The Answers showing superior speed to take the lead after 100m. Precious Dylan, who had got underneath his rival and made him work hard for the lead, then was able to take the sit behind the pacemaker.

With a lap to travel Has The Answers was coasting in front, with Mach Ruler on his outside and Argent Treasure traveling well in the one-out, one-back position. The first 400m of the final 800m went by in a slick 28.5sec. and Precious Dylan was hopelessly placed in a watertight pocket 250m from home.

It was then that Williams eased slightly off the pegs, but ran into a dead-end. Precious Dylan then ducked back inwards, causing All In Teck to be inconvenienced. Approaching the home turn, Morgan Woodley took Argent Treasure three wide to issue a strong challenge to Has The Answers.

Mach Ruler was starting to weaken, but still Precious Dylan was under lock and key on the final bend. Then, just after the Has The Answers and Argent Treasure were settling down for a battle for supremacy Williams got Precious Dylan into the clear about 120m from the post.

Precious Dylan then unleashed a devastating sprint, burst to the front in the final 25m and raced away to win by just over a length from Has The Answers, with Argent Treasure a close third. The son of Precious Bunny rated 1.59.6, with the final 800m being covered in 57sec.      

“We were just lucky to get a split,” Williams said. “And this bloke is just that fast he makes you look pretty good.”

Williams explained that in Precious Dylan’s comeback campaign he has not hoppled the gelding in trackwork, relying solely on his wife Alana riding the gelding in the bush.

“And he’s got stronger and stronger,” Williams said. “Alana has done all the work. She works him in the saddle five days a week, or four times a week when he has a race.

“We probably won’t spell Precious Dylan and we’ll probably race him two to three weeks apart. He’s happy doing that at the moment.”

All honours of Friday night’s race went to Precious Dylan, and, once again, Has The Answers was susceptible over 2536m. He now has had ten starts over this journey for just two wins, two seconds and six unplaced efforts.

 GO WEST U TERROR HAS STAR POTENTIAL, SAYS HALL

Inexperienced gelding Go West U Terror is a coming star, according to reinsman Gary Hall jun. who drove him to an impressive victory in the $20,000 Alltools Western Crown Classic for two-year-old colts and geldings at Gloucester Park on Friday night.

“I don’t think I’ve driven a two-year-old with as big a motor,” Hall said. “His best lap was his cool-down lap. He just wanted more. When he learns what it’s all about and the penny drops, his rivals will have a lot of trouble getting over him. He just puts his foot down the first time you ask him.

“I’ve always had a lot of time for him, since the first time I drove him. Bryan (trainer Bryan Cousins) mentioned on that occasion that he thought the horse could be something special, and I think he’s right on the money.”

Cousins races the Western Terror gelding in partnership with Sam Pizzino, Paul Day and Christopher McDonald. “They’re mates of mine who were formerly galloping guys,” Cousins said. “Obviously they’ve got a nice horse.”

Go West U Terror now has won at three of his five starts and has earned $21,810.

He started from the outside barrier on Friday night and Hall restrained him to the rear, with only last-start winners Bettors Ace and Jezalenkoubeauty behind him, after Bettors Ace had galloped hopelessly in the score-up and Jezalenkoubeauty had broken 300m after the start.

Polemarker Imali set the pace, with Scot Bay, the 6/4 tote favourite, working hard without cover. Hall dashed Go West U Terror forward, out three wide, 950m from home and the gelding sustained a strong burst before hitting the front with about 80m to travel. He scored by 4m from Scot Bay, with Master Damon running on gamely from eighth at the bell to be third.

 A LUCKY BREAK AIDES BRUSH WITH COURAGE

Luck, both good and bad, frequently plays a significant role in determining the result of a race. Byford reinsman Shannon Suvaljko made the most of a bit of good fortune on his way to driving Brush With Courage to an easy victory in the $20,000 Alltools Western Crown Classic for two-year-old to fillies at Gloucester Park on Friday night.

Brush With Courage was travelling smoothly behind the pacemaker and 5/4 favourite Arch On Fire at the bell when the frontrunner suddenly and unexpectedly broke into a gallop.

Brush With Courage, who was hemmed in at the time, then was able to dart through on the inside as Arch On Fire veered out and caused interference to Arma Xceptional.

Arch On Fire had looked at the winning post, shied and hung out badly. She lost a couple of lengths and then was able to trail Brush With Courage for the rest of the race. She battled on gamely into second place without threatening any real danger.

“She hasn’t had much luck lately, but tonight she got a bit of luck,” Suvaljko said. “She’s very tractable, well mannered and she didn’t shy at anything. And she’s a credit to trainer Noel Keiley, his son Ben and Peter Tilbrook.”

Brush With Courage, who is owned by Gavin and Ashley McPhail and Kenneth and Sharon Godley, now has won at three of her six starts for stakes of $26,389. 

Arch On Fire, who was driven by Callan Suvaljko for Baskerville trainer Ross Keys, now has finished second at her only two starts and gives every indication of developing into a smart performer for owners Matthew, Janet and James Benson-Lidholm.

 AWESOME ACHIEVER STARTS A FINE NIGHT FOR THE HALLS

Lightly-raced New Zealand-bred four-year-old Awesome Achiever revealed tremendous fighting qualities when he finished with great determination to snatch a nose victory over the pacemaker Dontmakemeangry in the Alltools.com.au Pathway Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.

The thrilling victory gave Hazlemere trainer Gary Hall sen the first leg of a winning treble and reinsman Gary Hall jun. the first leg of a treble.

Hall sen. also was successful with Spirit of Shard and Bronzwhaler Whitby in the following two events. Hall jun. followed with victories with Bronzwhaler Whitby and Go West U Terror.

Awesome Achiever, tote favourite at 6/4, started from barrier seven and Hall restrained him early as he settled into ninth place in the one-wide line. Dontmakemeangry, the 2/1 second favourite, raced three wide early before Shannon Suvaljko sent him past Coalmine Creek and into the lead 500m after the start.

Hall sent Awesome Achiever forward, three wide, in the second lap and the gelding moved to the breeze 750m from home and after a stirring struggle down the home straight Awesome Achiever got his nose in front on the line. Pancho Maguire finished strongly from seventh at the bell to be a half-head away in third place, with Coalmine Creek close up on the inside in fourth place.

In praising Awesome Achiever, Hall said that the son of Courage Under Fire had shown a great deal of toughness in his races, but had not revealed great point-to-point speed.

“They just ran it to suit him tonight and we were able to work into the race when they looked to be catching a breather,” he said. “It all fell into place, really. I knew that he would lift when Pancho Maguire joined him down the outside.”
 
Awesome Achiever, who is raced by Danny Roberts, Susan Beven, Brian Anderson, Rod Chambers, Nicholas Willis, Prue Willis, Riwai Williams, Elizabeth Curtis and Tim Gossage, looks set for a bright career. He has had only 16 starts for eight wins and four placings for stakes of $35,646.

 SPIRIT OF SHARD ENDS LOSING SEQUENCE OF 21

New Zealand-bred eight-year-old Spirit of Shard ended a losing sequence of 21 when Kim Prentice drove him to a narrow victory over hot favourite Tealsby Karita and pacemaker Dilinger Whitby in the 2130m Hitachi Claiming Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.

Owned by Victorian Fred Crews and trained by Gary Hall sen., Spirit of Shard won four races in New Zealand, two in South Australia and seven in Victoria before he arrived in WAin May 2008 and entered Hall’s Hazelmere stables.

He was an instant hit, winning at his first six starts at Gloucester Park. He now has won ten times in WA and his earnings stand at a handsome $242,041.

Spirit of Shard started from the outside barrier and Prentice had no hesitation in dropping him back to last place in the field of 11 before he started a three-wide move at the bell. He sustained a powerful burst to get up and beat Tealsby Karita, driven by Gary Hall jun., by 1m.

The ten-year-old Tealsby Karita put up another splendid performance after racing wide early and then working hard without cover. Fourmoore was a close and unlucky fourth after trailing the pacemaker Dilinger Whitby and being badly hampered for room in the home straight.

Prentice said that Spirit of Shard had felt really good. “He was on the bit,” he said. “Generally he can get off the bit when he’s following a horse up,” he explained. “I had to go a couple of hundred metres before I wanted to. The two in front of me were in a duel, so I decided to skip around them while they were playing games.

“And it all worked out really good. He’s a beautiful little horse to drive, and he steps really good.”

The Ross Olivieri-trained nine-year-old Flaming Roadstar was claimed by Suvaljko Pacing for $15,000 and the Sokys Atom gelding will now be trained by Joshua Dunn.

 NOWUSEEME PROVES TOO GOOD FOR AMONGST ROYALTY

Five-year-old Nowuseeme gave further proof that she is in the top bracket of pacing mares in WA when she worked hard outside the frontrunning odds-on favourite Amongst Royalty before forging to the front in the final 60m and winning the Sidchrome Pace over 2130m at Gloucester Park on Friday night.

The victory gave reinsman Grant Williams the first leg of a driving treble. He was also successful with Precious Dylan and Winter Retreat.

Nowuseeme, trained at Capel by Andrew de Campo, is proving a wonderful moneyspinner for her Bunbury breeders and owners Michael Spadaccini and Beryl Thomas, who raced her dam, the New Zealand-bred Holmes Hanover mare Nowuseemenowudont.

Nowuseemenowudont, also trained by de Campo, earned $116,931 from her 16 wins and 20 placings from 65 starts. Now Nowuseeme has had 60 starts for 20 wins, 16 placings and stakes of $219,001.

Nowuseeme began fast from the No. 6 barrier, but was unable to cross Amongst Royalty, who started from barrier one. But Williams was quite happy to rate Nowuseeme perfectly in the breeze.

The final 800m was covered in a smart 57.3sec. and Nowuseeme simply carried too many guns for Amongst Royalty and won by 1m, rating 1.57.3.

Ruby Dazzler enjoyed the perfect trip, one-out and one-back, before battling on doggedly into third place. But she did not threaten but the first two placegetters.

Winter Retreat, co-backmarker off 30m, completed the treble for Williams and brought up a winning hat-trick when he scored an easy two-length victory over Scruncher in the 2503m Alltools Bayswater Pace.

Winter Retreat was seventh in the field of nine after a lap had been completed and Williams drove patiently, waiting until 950m from home before urging the Armbro Operative five-year-old forward with a three-wide burst.

Palomine, who had wrested the lead from Scruncher 700m after the start, was joined by Winter Retreat 450m from home. Winter Retreat then surged to a clear lead with 330m to travel and he raced away to score in effortless fashion, sprinting the final 800m in 57.1sec. and rating a smart 2.0.1.

Hy Royale ran on from seventh at the bell to be third, while Palomine wilted to finish fifth.

Williams said that a change in Winter Retreat’s training program had turned the gelding’s fortunes around. Winter Retreat has not been hoppled for the past couple of months, with the pacer thriving on a preparation of saddle work in the bush from Alana Williams.

“He was one of those horses who used to always work sensationally on the track and failed to reproduce that form in races,” Williams said.

 CONTE CENTOVALLI THRIVES UNDER MELLSOP’S CARE

A syndicate of New South Wales owners has no regrets about the decision nine months ago to send Conte Centovalli to WA to be trained at Waroona by Bob Mellsop.

The Christian Cullen gelding, now an eight-year-old, notched his seventh win for Mellsop from 23 starts in WA when his son Adam drove him to a fighting victory over Parasite in the Milwaukee Handicap at Gloucester Park on Friday night.

Conte Centovalli had a losing sequence of 15 when Leonardo Locastro, Vincent MacDonald, Alex Kay, Peter Gadsby, Mike van Rens, Alan Bonney, Peter Acers, Ryan Kay and Carmelo Giardina sent him to Mellsop.

Conte Centovalli started from 10m and he raced in seventh position in the one-wide line until Adam Mellsop sent him forward, three wide, 1350m from home. He moved to fifth at the bell and sustained his three-wide effort until he ran past the pacemaker Its Thegiftoflife 420m from home.

The veteran pacer then revealed splendid fighting qualities to withstand a spirited late challenge from Parasite and went to the post with 1m to spare.

“He surprised me, being able to race three wide for so long and still win,” said Mellsop. “I didn’t think he could do it, but when we took off he was absolutely bolting.”

Conte Centovalli now has had 102 starts for 19 wins, 19 placings and stakes of $128,487.

Just Ludachris, the 2/1 tote favourite, lost all chance when he galloped from the No. 1 barrier and raced at the rear throughout. Knot Justafireball, second favourite at 4/1, faded to finish fifth after racing without cover.

 THE HUNTER IS ON THE WAY UP

Up-and-coming six-year-old The Hunter completed a driving double for Shannon Suvaljko when he charged to the front 300m after the start and gave a polished frontrunning exhibition to win the Kincrome Pace over 2536m at Gloucester Park on Friday night.

Suvaljko, who had been successful earlier in the program with Brush With Courage, praised the gelding’s trainer Ron Huston and Huston’s brother Jason for developing The Hunter into a strong performer.

Huston took over the preparation of The Hunter early this year and the gelding’s first three starts for him have produced a first-up second and two wins.

The Hunter, by Holmes Hanover, won three times in New Zealand and now has had 32 starts in WA for seven wins and six placings.

Christopher Three maintained his promising form by running on solidly from 11th in the middle stages to be second, with eight-year-old mare Iraville finishing third after trailing the pacemaker.

In A Fashion, who worked hard in the breeze, faded to finish tenth and his driver Brian Kersley was suspended for 22 days for having causing interference soon after the start to Im Under Fire (Kim Prentice).

Im Under Fire broke into a gallop and raced at the rear before finishing last. His stablemate Bubbles And Bling came from the rear with a three-wide burst to be fourth at the bell. He moved into second place in the final circuit before wilting to fifth.

 BRONZWHALER WHITBY PUTS IT ALL TOGETHER

Bronzwhaler Whitby, described by his driver Gary Hall jun. as “a bit of a nightmare for punters to follow,” put it all together to storm home and win the Metabo Pace over 1730m at Gloucester Park on Friday night.

The Mach Three five-year-old started from the outside barrier and Hall restrained him to last before he moved forward to ninth (three wide) at the bell when Cuvee Riche was leading from Rostriever Ornum, on her outside.

Rostriever Ornum took the lead 300m from home before he was swamped in the closing stages by Bronzwhaler Whitby and Our Gent, who rattled home from 11th at the bell.

This boosted Bronzwhaler Whitby’s earnings to $125,598 from his 17 wins and 15 placings from 53 starts.

“The short trip definitely helped him,” Hall explained. “We had probably the two main dangers (Bullets And Bluff and Tuapeka Tiz) drawn on the back line, and provided we could get through early and beat a bit of traffic to get to the three-wide line we were always going to be the one to beat.

“It doesn’t really matter what trip he’s in; he just tries to sprint the whole way. He’s been a bit of a nightmare for punters to follow. He can be his own worst enemy more often than not.

“Tonight he got it right. We’ve put the hammer down a bit more on him at home to try to knock the edge off him a bit. And I think that has helped. When he does relax like he did tonight he can stay pretty well and sustain a good long run. And that’s what he had to do to win tonight.”