Gotcha: Star pacer For A Reason sprinted brilliantly to win the $200,000 Garrards Pacing Championship at Albion Park Photo by Dan Costello - Racing Wrap
My Way is a song popularized by master crooner Frank Sinatra in the late 1960’s.
Star pacer For A Reason, aka Frank, is named in his honour and he did it his way when proving successful in the opening leg of the new Australian Pacing Gold Grand Circuit season at Albion Park – the $200,000 Garrards Queensland Pacing Championship.
Driven expertly by masterful reinsman Luke McCarthy, For A Reason sprinted brilliantly to beat race favourite and hometown hero Avonnova while emerging talent Our Hi Jinx finished an eye catching third in the 2680m feature.
The triumph provided his connections with their second Grand Circuit victory (2013 Victoria Cup) since returning from stud duties and the highly decorated Art Major entire looks destined for another successful season.
“He’s an amazing horse who holds a special place in our heart, he means the world to Luke and to see him winning Grand Circuit races is an emotional thing for us given everything he’s been through over the past couple of years.” Trainer Belinda McCarthy said.
On a warm Brisbane evening, Our Hi Jinx showed early pace from his inside draw while For A Reason was able to muster quickly and challenge for the lead leaving Avonnova working in the early stages.
For A Reason, a horse who possesses sizzling point to point speed, allowed Avonnova to take the lead working by the winning post on the first occasion.
The lead time was covered in 79 seconds.
With Avonnova cruising in front, Victorian pacer Abettorpunt made an early move and raced up three wide before sitting parked and therefore providing one/one cover to Blazin N Cullen.
The first half sectionals were 29.4 and 30.2 seconds.
Entering the back straight on the final occasion, Avonnova increased the speed leaving Abettorpunt under pressure while For A Reason and Our Hi Jinx sat patiently on the inside.
The third quarter was tripped in 27.8 seconds.
Upon straightening, Avonnova shook off the challenge from Abettorpunt but For A Reason quickly took aim via the sprint lane.
For A Reason accelerated sharply and quickly raced by Avonnova while Our Hi Jinx made a late run to fill third.
The final quarter was clocked in 27.5 seconds
The mile rate was 1;56.4 – outside of the track record set by Mr Feelgood at 1;55.9.
“He put the writing on the wall last week with his excellent run in the Gold Coast Cup and he improved on that effort greatly. Luke drove a perfect race, we’re all very excited.
“We will head home to Sydney now but I would say it’s looking pretty good for a New Zealand Cup campaign before the Miracle Mile. We’ll confirm all this in the coming days.
“Frank is a favourite of everyone involved with our stable, we all love him and it’s great to see him winning at the elite level. He had a virus which ruled us out of the winter carnival but it’s great to have him back at full health.”
The domination of the McCarthy stable and the Queensland Pacing Championship continues to build, the stable have now won 8 of the last 10 editions including the last five straight.
The $NZ650,000 Christchurch Casino New Zealand Cup is the next leg of the series, set to be staged on November 11 at Addington Raceway in Christchurch.
