Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
WA-bred five-year-old Goodfellaz has resumed racing after a spell in splendid form, with three wins and a third placing from his four starts after a seven-month absence.
Champion reinsman Chris Lewis was quick to admit that the gelding was racing in the best form of his career because of a change in attitude.
“Earlier in his career he was inclined to overrace, but now he is more relaxed, and tonight he got away well and travelled well,” he said.
Goodfellaz, trained by Debra Lewis, was the $3 favourite from the outside barrier (No. 8) on the front line in the $19,000 Sell Your Car At Westside Auto Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night, and after settling down in sixth position Chris Lewis dashed him forward in the first lap to race on the outside of the pacemaker Ideal Tomado ($13).
Ideal Tomado, driven by Stuart McDonald, sprinted over the third quarter of the final mile in 27.8sec. in an attempt to make life tough for Goodfellaz.
But Goodfellaz produced an example of his ability by wresting the lead from Ideal Tomado with 250m to travel and racing away to win by a length from $7 chance Franco Mecca, who trailed the leader all the way and did not get clear until the final stages when he ran home strongly.
Goodfellaz is by American Ideal and is the seventh foal out of Shes Innocent, who won once from 14 starts before making her mark as a brood mare, with her first foal Restrepo enjoying an outstanding career of 49 starts for 19 wins, ten placings and $527,118. Goodfellaz has raced 31 times for 12 wins, 11 placings and $140,701.