Evergreen New Zealand-bred pacer Galactic Star will continue his career in Western Australia after owners Skye Bond and Rob Gartrell turned down a big offer to sell the eight-year-old to American interests.
Galactic Star, prepared by Greg and Skye Bond, recorded his 31st victory when he set the pace for star reinsman Ryan Warwick and held on win by a half-head from Vultan Tin in the 2536m In Appreciation Of Bill Crabb Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
“Somewhat surprisingly, a couple of weeks ago we received quite a substantial offer to sell him to the United States,” said Gartrell, who races the Bettors Delight gelding in partnership with Skye Bond.
“We thought about it, but Greg and Skye just love the horse who has done a fantastic job for us, and in the end, we knocked back the offer. He has been a great horse who can lead and race with a sit, and now we’ll be aiming for the Fremantle Cup and WA Pacing Cup at the Christmas carnival this year. We probably won’t travel with him any more.”
Apart from his 16 wins at Gloucester Park and eight on country tracks, Galactic Star has travelled from Perth to the eastern States three or four times for two wins at Menangle from six starts in New South Wales and one win and two placings from five Victorian appearances.
Galactic Star raced 13 times in New Zealand for four wins and seven placings before being sold to his WA owners in 2017. “He has proved to be quite a bargain who cost less than $50,000,” said Gartrell. Indeed, the gelding has been a huge success, earning $657,279 from his 27 wins and 22 placings from 80 starts for the Bond stable.
“Greg does a lot of work on sourcing the horses in New Zealand,” said Gartrell. “And Galactic Star suited our profile; he was lightly raced and was in the right age group.”
by Ken Casellas