Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
In-form reinsman Stuart McDonald’s faith in the strength and fighting qualities of New Zealand-bred Ira Poole paid dividends when the five-year-old scored a strong victory in the Trotsynd #WinnerswinPace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
“The plan was to work our way to the breeze, and get there as comfortably as we could,” explained McDonald. “When Ideal Tomado led I was a lot more confident we could sit in the breeze and win. Ideal Tomado doesn’t like being pressured or bullied. So, once he got to the front we started applying the pressure.
“Up in grade if Ira Poole lead he will be hard to run down. Up in grade he will be a leader or a sit and kick horse.”
Ira Poole, the $4 second favourite, finished determinedly to get to the front in the closing stages and win comfortably from Ideal Tomado ($9), with the $1.90 favourite State Of Heaven a close third.
State Of Heaven, the polemarker, was beaten for early speed and he paced roughly for a few strides soon after the start but still managed to trail the pacemaker Ideal Tomado until Gary Hall Jnr eased him off the pegs at the bell. However, State Of Heaven did not threaten danger at any stage of the final circuit.
Ira Poole, a gelding by Falcon Seelster, who is prepared by Gary Hall Snr, looks set for more wins. He has had 41 starts for ten wins, 13 placings and $89,297.