Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Dene Bickers, who bred and owns Terror In Texas, and trainer-reinsman Garry Butler have never lost faith in the gelding, whose career has been blighted by injuries, and they are being rewarded for their perseverance and patience.
Terror In Texas, now a seven-year-old, is firmly on the comeback trail and the future looks bright.
He was having his fifth start in his current campaign, after an eleven-month absence, when he gave a commanding performance to score an easy victory in the 2130m Hoisttorque.com.au Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Earlier in his career Terror In Texas was out of action for two years as he recovered from a damaged nearside hind leg.
After encouraging placings at his two previous outings Terror In Texas was the $1.80 favourite from the No. 3 barrier in Friday night’s event. Butler did not bustle the gelding and was quite happy to race in the breeze outside $6 chance Maddy Rocks, who took the lead from Ultimate Rocker 600m after the start.
Butler sent Terror In Texas to the front 220m from home and the son of the New Zealand-bred stallion Terror To Love won by a length from $16 chance Here Comes Sharkie, who ran home solidly from fifth (three back on the pegs) at the bell. The final quarters were run in 28.6sec. and 29.5sec. and Terror In Texas rated 1.56.9.
Terror In Texas is the 11TH foal out of the Fake Left mare Texan Cowgirl, who raced 31 times for six wins (four in Kalgoorlie and two in Geraldton) and ten placings for stakes of $20,645.
Bickers purchased Texan Cowgirl at prominent breeder Ross Torre’s dispersal sale in 2010, and the first foal he bred from her was Aussie Delight, who earned $124,452 from 12 wins and ten placings from 54 starts.
Terror In Texas’s deeds bring to mind the performance of his half-brother Aussie Reactor, who caused a notable upset when he got up to snatch a nose victory in the Golden Slipper in July 2008 from the brilliant James Matthew, who went into the event unbeaten after ten outstanding victories.
Aussie Reactor won 20 races in Western Australia before shining in America and being retired with earnings of $616,425 from 44 wins and 47 placings from 182 starts.
Terror In Texas has inherited some of the ability of Aussie Reactor, and he should continue to shine and improve on his record of 24 starts for seven wins, nine placings and $41,829.
Terror In Texas met with interference before finishing tenth behind Minstrel, Magnificent Storm and Patronus Star in the Golden Nugget on February 12, 2021, and he did not race again for another 23 months.
“He had a few little issues which emerged a week after the Nugget,” said Butler. “It was then discovered that he had a soft tissue injury in his near hind leg, the result of being cleaned up when he won a race at Pinjarra four days before the Nugget.
“We spelled him for twelve months, and when he came back, he had a few other little issues, he had a cold and a few bits and pieces. He had some bone chips in his troublesome leg which were removed, and he needed more time off. Now, fingers are crossed that everything goes good.”