Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Stuart McDonald lavished praise on New Zealand-bred three-year-old Golden Lode after driving him to a brilliant victory in the 2130m Westral Meshlock Security Doors And Screens Pace over 2130m at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
“He’s lightning fast, and has got tougher,” declared McDonald after Golden Lode, the $7.20 second favourite, came from 11TH in the middle stages and sprinted fast from sixth (three wide) at the bell to get up and beat his stablemate and $1.55 favourite Vegas Strip by a half-neck, rating 1.56.4.
“When I first started driving him, he had a 300 to 400 metre lightning sprint, but now he can sustain his effort for longer.”
Deni Roberts, the No. 1 stable driver for the powerful Greg and Skye Bond stable who attempted an all-the-way win with Vegas Strip, admired Golden Lode’s performance, saying: “He has gone to a new level, and he’s going to be an even better four-year-old next year.”
After solid opening quarters of 30.3sec. and 30.4sec., Vegas Strip dashed over the final 400m sections in 28.2sec. and 27.8sec. but he simply found Golden Lode too good.
Golden Lode and Vegas Strip were the only three-year-olds in Friday night’s event, and both pacers should win many races as four-year-olds.
Golden Lode is by Always B Miki and is out of Yankee Dream, who was retired after having 56 starts for 15 wins, 18 placings and $262,989. Eleven of her wins were in New Zealand, including the Group 1 Sires Stakes at Alexandra Park in May 2009. She also won four times at Melton and her final three starts were at Gloucester Park in November and December 2012 when she was unplaced in the Norms Daughter Classic and the Mares Classic.
McDonald has a good record with Golden Lode, having driven him five times for three wins, a second and an eighth placing. The three-year-old has earned $92,505 from nine wins, eight seconds and one third from 25 starts.