Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Handsome pacer Showpony is back in the zone after a poor start to his current preparation as a five-year-old, with his trainer David Young explaining that the five-year-old was struggling early in this campaign with breathing problems.
“We had a lot of issues with him at the beginning of this preparation when his first three or four runs were no good,” said Young.
“I kept telling myself it was fitness, so I took some bloods from him and found that he was suffering badly from allergies due to the pollen in the air.
“Showpony wasn’t able to breathe properly and when he was getting tired, he was building up lactic acid. So, we had to change a few things around and I began treating him with antibiotics and a nebulizer, and he has gradually got back in the zone.”
Showpony was making his ninth appearance in his current campaign when he was a $7.20 chance from the No. 4 barrier in the 2130m Retravision.com.au Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
With Franco Mecca ($7) setting the early pace, Aiden De Campo, having his first drive behind Showpony, settled the gelding down in eighth position before sending him forward with a three-wide burst with 950m to travel.
Showpony sprinted strongly to charge to the front 500m from home and went on to win by six lengths from $7.50 chance Mister Macedon, who battled on doggedly after working hard without cover.
“His past five runs have been more like the old Showpony,” said Young. “I thought he was something beaten the previous Friday night when fourth behind Mikis Beach. I thought if he had had an ounce of luck, he would have beaten Mikis Beach.
“Aiden said Showpony did it really well tonight, and he didn’t pull the ear plugs. At the 600m Aiden said he felt that he could put the leaders away whenever he wanted to.”
Showpony, a gelding by Sweet Lou, has earned $85,955 from eleven wins and 13 placings from 40 starts.