Ken Casellas | Photo: Hamilton Content Creators
The Nights Of Thunder makes strong appeal for speedy frontrunner Onesmartfella, who scored a comfortable win in the 2130m NYE Fireworks Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
This followed his first-up all-the-way victory over 1730m the previous week, and it gave reinsman Chris Voak the first leg of a driving double, with his second winner Sangue Reale scoring 30 minutes later.
Onesmartfella was the $1.50 favourite, and after a slow lead time of 38sec. and modest opening quarters of 30.6sec. and 30.8sec., he dashed over the final 400m sections in 28.5sec. and 28.1sec. He beat $41 chance and last-start Pinjarra winner Bettors Destroya by just over a length, rating 1.57.8.
“He is still progressing, and he will improve on tonight’s run,” said trainer Jemma Hayman. “The 1730m Nights Of Thunder looks a good option as he prefers the shorter distance.”
Onesmartfella, who has made the most of drawing the prized No. 1 barrier in both his recent wins, has had 29 starts for eight wins, nine placings and stakes of $63,705. Heats of the Nights Of Thunder will be run next Friday week, with the final to be decided a week later.