Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Veteran-trainer-reinsman Lindsay Harper adopted similar tactics two weeks in a row to bring about the downfall of the well-fancied Greg and Skye Bond-trained Jett Star in 2130m events at Gloucester Park.
He caused an upset on Friday night when he brought $9.80 chance Middlepage home with a strong burst to get up in the final couple of strides to beat the $3.50 second fancy Jett Star by a half-length in the $21,000 RAC Members Save 5% Every Day at Retravision Pace.
Seven-year-old Middlepage began from the No. 1 barrier and was beaten out by the $2.70 favourite The Code Breaker from the No. 2 barrier. Deni Roberts quickly moved Jett Star into the breeze while Middlepage enjoyed a perfect sit behind the pacemaker.
Jett Star eventually got to the front 250m from home but was unable to hold out the strong-finishing Middlepage, who rated 1.55.8 after the final three quarters were run in 29sec., 27.5sec. and 28.9sec. Machlani ($81) ran on well to finish third, with The Code Breaker fading to seventh.
“I was planning to lead but Middlepage didn’t have the speed to hold The Code Breaker out,” said Harper. Middlepage, a WA-bred seven-year-old by Tintin In America, has been a wonderful money spinner for Harper and his co-owners, having raced 96 times for 18 wins, 21 placings and $182,952 in prizemoney.
A week earlier Harper drove $26.70 outsider Eldaytona to a half-length win over the $3 favourite Jett Star, who had taken the lead with 270m travel.