Washakie takes out the 2010 WA Pacing Cup Photo by William Crabb Photography
West Australian owned star Washakie has returned home a winner.
The Queensland trained and driven pacer delivered a stunning performance to claim tonight’s Gr.1 $400,000 Find Thirty Everyday WA Pacing Cup at Gloucester Park.
Washakie, handled by John McCarthy who was having his first drive at Gloucester Park led most of the way to beat a very brave Im Themightyquinn and Our Malabar.
Ironically, Washakie was previously trained by Gary Hall who prepared the runner-up.
Connections of Washakie transferred the Badlands Hanover gelding to the McCarthy stable in Brisbane in a bid to have him readied for the 2009 Watpac Inter Dominion Pacing Championship at the Gold Coast whilst Hall elected to remain in Perth and concentrate on his large stable.
Before venturing across the Nullabor last year, Washakie led all of the way to claim the Gr.1 $125,000 Australian Pacing Championship in his final start on the track before relocating to Queensland.
Tonight’s victory wasn’t unexpected, Washakie started a warm favourite after some dynamic performances this season including a recent victory in the Gr.1 $100,000 Treuer Memorial at Bankstown after sitting outside of iron tough pacer Karloo Mick before recording back to back victories at Albion Park in 1.54.2 and 1.54.9 respectively.
After drawing gate four, McCarthy made his intentions clear and maintained a forward position although racing wide for the first lap, once the pace slackened slightly, McCarthy then challenged for the lead.
The lead time was posted in 65.4 seconds.
Once in front, Washakie received no peace as the local charges made their moves, arriving on the scene immediately was Im Themightyquinn with Bonavista Bay pouring on the pressure three wide with quarters covered in 30.2 and 29 seconds for the first half of the last mile.
Entering the back straight for the final time, Washakie and Im Themightyquinn raced stride for stride whilst Bonavista Bay weakened in a third split of 28.5 seconds.
Recent Australian Pacing Championship victor Has The Answers made a sweeping move down the back straight and gave trainer Tony Svilicich hope of securing back to back Pacing Cups before fading on his run.
In the straight, Washakie regained the lead after being headed by Im Themightyquinn on the turn and pulled clear for a convincing victory in race record time.
The mile rate of 1.56.3 smashed the previous mark of 1.57.3 set by triple Inter Dominion champion Our Sir Vancelot back in 1998.
The final quarter was clocked in 30.1 seconds.
Ironically, Washakie becomes the first non West Australian trained pacer to claim the state’s biggest event since Our Sir Vancelot went back to back in 1997/98.
Since taking over the driving duties, John McCarthy and Washakie haven’t looked back with the 50-year-old racking up a fine record of four wins from six drives including two Group One’s this season.
Washakie has now won eight of his fifteen starts at Gloucester Park.
With tonight’s victory, Washakie now jumps to outright third on the Barastoc Grand Circuit leaderboard with eleven points, just four points behind current leader Monkey King with four legs remaining.
Washakie will now head back to Melbourne early next week to contest further feature races.
Washakie is raced by West Australians Kevin Jeavons, Gino Monaco and Lindsay Severn.
