Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Young reinsman Kyle Symington has formed an outstanding association with hardy six-year-old pacer Hillview Bondi, who notched his 17TH victory with an all-the-way success in the $25,000 Vale Kevin Ward Pace over 2130m at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Symington now has driven the Ryan Bell-trained Hillview Bondi for his past 13 wins.
“He likes to roll along in front; mental pressure doesn’t affect him at all,” said the 22-year-old Symington. “He won the start when he beat out Jaspervellabeach easily, and as soon as we were in front, it was our race to lose.”
Hillview Bondi, unplaced at his five previous starts, was a $5.20 chance from the prized No. 1 barrier, and he simply proved too fast for his rivals. The solid lead time of 36.7sec. was followed by quick quarters of 28.7sec., 29.3sec., 28.4sec. and 29sec.
Hillview Bondi rated 1.54.9 and beat $14 chance Goodfellaz, who fought on grandly after working hard in the breeze. The $2.10 favourite The Miki Taker finished ninth after being trapped three wide for most of the journey.
Hillview Bondi was bred by Pemberton farmer Lisa Bendotti, who races the Somebeachsomewhere gelding with several members of her family. This was Hillview Bondi’s eighth metro-class success, and it took his record to 82 starts for 17 wins, 19 placings and $173,031.
He is the twelfth foal out of Maid For Life, who was retired after being unplaced at her three starts as a two-year-old in November and December 2002.
Bell and Symington kept up the good work at Northam on Saturday night, with Symington bringing home three-year-old filly Shez Sassy Lassy with a late burst to get up and snatch a narrow victory over Drive Line in a 2190m event.