Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Inexperienced four-year-old Mandown improved his West Australian record to two starts for two wins when he won the 2130m Santosh Contact Care Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night after giving his driver Maddison Brown a few anxious moments with his lazy attitude in the final lap.
Mandown, the $1.40 favourite, raced in the breeze for the first lap before getting to the front and going on to win by almost a length from $17 chance Lamandier.
“He switched off a touch when Lady Prima Donna (in the breeze) dropped off a bit down the back, and I had to get up him to switch him back on,” said Brown.
“There is a lot of ability there, but he switches off at times. Mandown was probably travelling better in the breeze than when he was in front.”
Sound Wave ($5) was in front for the first 900m before Aiden De Campo surrendered the lead to Mandown, with Brown saying: “Obviously, Aiden decided to take a sit because he wasn’t likely to get it easy in the lead.”
Mandown, who is trained by Gary Hall Jnr, has raced 18 times for four wins, six placings and $40,323. He won at two of his 16 New Zealand appearances. Mandown is by former star pacer Vincent and is the fourth foal out of the Christian Cullen mare Close Escape.
Mandown’s elder half-sister Escape The Pace raced as a trotter and her 43 starts have produced nine wins, five placings and $98,704. Mandown’s half-brother Mr Henry contested 49 races in WA for five wins, six placings and $27,104.