Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Soho Dow Jones, a noted frontrunner, was seen in a different role in the 1730m Contact@Allwoodstud.com.au Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night when he was driven with a sit by Mitch Miller and proved too strong for his seven rivals.
The American Ideal four-year-old, trained by Kim Prentice, appreciated a considerable drop in class and represented excellent value as the $4.30 second fancy, with newcomer Ira Poole the $1.65 favourite at his first appearance in Western Australia.
Diamondsonthebeach ($20) began with his customary brilliance and raced away to a big early lead, leaving Soho Dow Jones in the breeze. But Miller quickly was able to slot the gelding across to the inside to enjoy a comfortable passage three back on the pegs.
This left Ira Poole racing without cover, and at the bell Miller eased Soho Dow Jones off the pegs to follow Ira Poole, who eventually took a narrow lead on the home turn. But Soho Sow Jones carried too many guns and he burst to the front in the closing stages to beat Duty Bound ($4.80) and Ira Poole, rating a smart 1.55.2.
“I was disappointed with his run last week (when fifth behind Watts Up Sunshine),” said Miller. “He is a bit of a pretender. When he gets it all on his own terms, he looks pretty good, but when he doesn’t, he’s not so good.”
Soho Dow Jones, a winner of four races in Victoria, now has raced 24 times in WA for eight wins and six placings, taking his career record to 34 starts for 12 wins, nine placings and $114,461. He is out of the Art Major mare Soho New York, who had 27 starts for ten wins, four placings and $65,710.
Soho New York is out of Before Night Falls, who earned $169,279 from 12 wins and eight placings from 38 starts, with her career highlight being her victory in the $100,000 Diamond Classic at Gloucester Park in June 2008.