Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Mardella trainer Michael Young described Victorian-bred pacer October Reign as an honest performer after Maddison Brown had driven him to an easy win in the 2130m Cleversure Insurance Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
But the six-year-old surely deserves greater praise. He has been a consistent pacer who has now earned $162,927 from 13 wins and 19 placings from 80 starts.
Good gate speed is a vital ingredient at Gloucester Park, and Brown made sure she took full advantage of this asset by dashing October Reign, the $3.30 second favourite from barrier five, to the front after about 80m.
Brown then rated October Reign expertly in front and the gelding coasted to victory by just over a length from $5 chance The Beaudster, who trailed the leader all the way.
“He’s an honest horse who has done a good job,” said Young. “He just plays the system and when he finds a suitable race he is good enough to take advantage of it. He is a good leader, but he has also won from other spots. He is always competitive.”
October Reign is by American sire Sportswriter and is the second foal out of Show Me Amber, who raced 62 times for 11 wins, 16 placings and $64,151.