Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Henley Brook trainer-reinsman Robbie Williams is more than happy he took the advice of New Zealand reinsman Chris Butt to purchase Brickies Dream.
Butt, the son of legendary New Zealand reinsman Anthony Butt, was a successful driver in Western Australia just over a decade ago when he became a good friend of Williams.
Chris Butt recommended Brickies Dream to Williams after that pacer had raced twice as a three-year-old for third placings at Oamaru and Timaru. Williams accepted Butt’s advice and purchased Brickies Dream on behalf of 17 stable clients.
Brickies Dream, now a five-year-old, has performed well for Williams with his 22 WA starts producing nine wins and six placings for stakes of $74,742. He is by American stallion Rock N Roll Heaven and is the first foal out of the Bettors Delight mare Kate De Goldie, who raced 13 times for three wins, four placings and $15,255.
Brickies Dream was the $1.50 favourite from the No. 1 barrier in the Catalano Truck and Equipment Sales Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night when he set the pace and won by a neck from the $5.50 chance Magnus Victor, rating 1.55.9 over 2130m, with final quarters of 28.7sec. and 27.8sec.
Magnus Victor was the smartest to begin (from barrier three) but was unable to cross to the front. He then gained an ideal trip in the one-out, one-back position after Captain Bligh ($5) went forward to race in the breeze soon after the start.
“I had no worries at the start,” said Williams. “Brickies Dream is very quick, and we did just what we had to at the start. I was always confident that he had the ability to win from a perfect draw.
“He got a bit lazy in front and the others got a bit closer than they should have. He can work his way through the classes slowly, and then see where he gets to.”