Promising colt Bushwacked enjoyed a stroll in the park before coasting to an effortless victory in the 1730m Catalano Truck And Equipment Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
“He is doing a good job, and tonight he got away with some easy sectionals,” said breeder-owner-trainer Shane Quadrio after Kyle Harper had driven Bushwacked to his comfortable win by more than a length over Five Bangles, rating a modest 2.4.6.
Harper took full advantage of the No. 1 barrier in the field of four, and he let Bushwacked to amble through the opening three 400m sections of the final mile in 34sec., 33.8sec. ands 29.9sec. before sprinting over the final quarter in 27.2sec.
Bushwacked, third favourite at $4.10, was not challenged as he led the Indian-file affair in which he was followed by Battlescard ($3.10), Griffin Lodge ($1.90) and Five Bangles ($13). Griffin Lodge was in last place when he broke into a gallop 220m from home, and it was left to Five Bangles to finish gamely to deprive Battlescard of second place.
“I will now set him for the $50,000 Champagne Classic in a fortnight,” said Quadrio.
Bushwacked is the ninth and final foal out of the In The Pocket mare Aleta Anvil, who had 55 starts for five wins, 18 placings and stakes of $36,690. Quadrio purchased Aleta Anvil when she was in foal to Follow The Stars and produced Bushwacked, who now has won twice from seven starts for earnings of $18,053.
Aleta Anvil was a daughter of American mare Aleta Hanover, who raced 32 times for six wins, eleven seconds and one third from 32 starts for stakes of $88,591. Aleta Anvil produced Warriors Code, who finished fourth behind Jack Mac in the Pearl Classic in June 2017 and earned $52,397 from seven wins and nine placings from 40 starts.
by Ken Casellas