Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Talented pacer Lusaka warmed up for a tilt at next Friday night’s $50,000 Four and Five-Year-Old Championship with a strong win in the 2130m Retravision, Lowest Price Guarantee Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Lusaka, owned and trained by Greg and Skye Bond, was a hot $1.40 favourite from the outside barrier (No. 9) on the front line, and was driven patiently by Deni Roberts, who was happy to race at the rear while $14 chance Ideal Tomado was setting a brisk pace, with Post Game ($8) applying plenty of pressure in the breeze.
Lusaka sustained a strong run to come from the rear at the bell and take the lead 250m from home before winning by just over a length from Post Game, who put up a grand performance to fight on with great determination.
Lusaka rated 1.55.8 and improved his record to 23 starts for 12 wins, six placings and $142,659. He won at his only appearance in New Zealand (as a two-year-old at Addington in July 2022) before arriving in Western Australia.
He is by Sweet Lou and is the fourth foal out of the Bettors Delight mare Batini (two wins and $11,336 from 41 starts).