Ken Casellas | Photo: Hamilton Content Creators
A flying start from out wide at barrier seven paved the way for Bronzed to score an all-the-way victory in the 2130m Up Late Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
The wide draw obviously deterred punters, and Bronzed, who had started from the No. 4 barrier at his three previous outings and had begun speedily and had set the pace for smart victories, was remarkably good value at $10, with Lucapelo, having his first start for trainer Michael Young and resuming after a spell, a dominant $1.32 favourite.
Lucapelo was restrained from barrier five and settled down in sixth position while the lead time was a very slow 39.9sec., followed by leisurely opening quarters of 32.8sec. and 37sec.
Ryan Warwick, who got Bronzed away to a flying start to burst straight to the front, was happy to amble along in front without any pressure being applied to the Indomitable Saab gelding for the first half of the race. Bronzed then gave his rivals very little chance be dashing over the final 400m sections in 28.2sec. and 28.6sec.
Telkem Jay ($10) trailed Bronzed all the way and ran home solidly to be second, with $101 outsider The Real Mikoy a well-beaten third after racing three back on the pegs. Lucapelo started a three-wide move 520m from home before battling on, out four wide, into fourth place.
Bronzed was again produced in wonderful shape by Bakers Hill trainer Mike Williams, whose wife Sue bred and owns the gelding who has earned $48,183 from six wins and four placings from 15 starts.