Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
When Navy Street was challenged strongly for the lead by Bettor Move Along in the early stages of the 2130m Westside Auto Service Paint and Panel Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night, Emily Suvaljko was keen to surrender the lead and take a sit.
But her plans were thwarted by Navy Street, who was in no mood to be restrained.
Navy Street, a $12.10 chance, began speedily from the No. 3 barrier, but it took him 220m to get past the No. 2 horse Deeorse ($51) before being challenged by $21 chance Bettor Move Along.
“I really had to run Navy Street hard to get to the front and I was concerned that I had done too much, so I looked to take cover behind Bettor Move Along,” Suvaljko said. “But Navy Street didn’t want to hand up, and he must have been telling me that he was better in front.”
So, Navy Street maintained his lead, with the $2.10 favourite Benji in the breeze and Bettor Move Along gaining a good sit in the one-out, one-back position.
“I was a bit concerned with a lap to go when Navy Street knocked off a bit,” said Suvaljko. “So, I flicked him on the tail, and he took off.”
Navy Street went on and covered the final quarters in 29.3sec. and 28.7sec. to win easily by two lengths from Deeorse, who trailed the pacemaker throughout.
Navy Street, who is owned and trained by Karen Thompson, ended a losing sequence of nine and boosted his career record to 55 starts for 12 wins, 12 placings and stakes of $103,704.