Ken Casellas | Photo: Hamilton Content Creators
Inexperienced New Zealand-bred three-year-old Hale Saint Louie has impressed greatly in winning by big margins on country tracks at his first four starts in Western Australia, and he faces a moment of truth when he makes his city debut in the 2130m Behind The Goals Sport FM Pasce at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
He will start from barrier four in a field of five in which he will meet other highly promising New Zealand-bred three-year-olds Fess Up (barrier one) and Hes Never Been Beta as well as the talented locally-bred colt Star Lavra.
Hale Saint Louie is trained by Dylan Egerton-Green, who has driven the gelding to runaway victories at his first four WA appearances — scoring by margins of 36.8m and 26.2m at Narrogin and by 26.9m and 13.9m at Northam.
Egerton-Green admitted that Hale Saint Louie was facing a steep rise in class against youngsters of the calibre of Fess Up, Hes Never Been Beta and Star Lavra.
“The opposition in his country runs was not as strong as what he will meet on Friday night,” he said. “But he has been running the times. He went 1.57 at Northam. He has never seen the Gloucester Park circuit, but he should handle the track okay; I can’t see why racing at Gloucester Park will be a problem.
“He has a tricky draw and there’s a few nice horses in the race. But I’m sure he will hold his own. He has a good turn of foot. It’s an interesting race in which Fess Up has the draw and looks the one to beat.”
Fess Up, to be driven by Deni Roberts for leading trainers Greg and Skye Bond, notched his sixth win from 17 starts when he began from a wide barrier and after racing at the rear early, he moved to the breeze and dashed over the final 800m in 55.8sec. to win by a head from Happichappi over 2185m at Pinjarra on Monday of last week. That took his record as a three-year-old this year to five starts for four wins and a close second to Star Lavra.
Gary Hall Snr trains Star Lavra (three wins and four placings from nine starts) and Hes Never Been Beta, who took his record to ten starts for five wins and three seconds with a commanding win over 2185m at Pinjarra on Monday this week. Gary Hall Jnr will handle Hes Never Been Beta, and Stuart McDonald will drive Star Lavra.