Ken Casellas | Photo: Hamilton Content Creators
New Zealand-bred four-year-old Himself gave further proof of his outstanding ability in standing-start events when he made light of his 20-metre handicap and scored a runaway victory in the 2503m SEFS Handicap at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
His win was his ninth in stands and took his career record to 22 starts for ten wins, seven placings and $122,861. In WA he has had eleven starts for seven wins and three placings.
He was the $2.70 favourite, with frontmarker Cooper a clear-cut second fancy at $3.90.
Maddison Brown got Cooper away smartly and into the lead before Deni Roberts, driving quickly sized up the situation and dashed Himself forward in the first circuit to race in the breeze. This had the effect of the race being run at a faster pace, and the quarters of the final mile were run in 30.2sec., 29sec. and a sparkling 27.5sec. before Himself asserted his authority and forged to the front with 350m to travel.
Himself covered the final 400m in 29.1sec. and he rated 2.0.9 in winning by 7m from $9 chance Firerockfireroll, who was ninth at the 600m and went five wide on the home turn before unwinding a powerful late burst. Cooper, having his second start after a spell, disappointed in fading to finish sixth.