Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
New Zealand-bred four-year-old Mandown remained unbeaten in standing-start races when he was untroubled to stroll to victory in the 2503m Madam Publisher Handicap at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Mandown was a hot $1.04 favourite, but trainer-reinsman Gary Hall Jnr had to overcome some moments of concern before the start, following the late withdrawal of Cheddar Is Better, who was found to be lame in the near hind leg during the preliminary.
Mandown was drawn at the No. 1 barrier on the front line, with Cheddar Is Better the only other runner off the front.
Hall was hoping that Mandown would step away smoothly with a runner on his outside, but when he was left as the only front-line runner, he was worried that Mandown could bungle the start.
However, Mandown began smoothly, and he was not extended in setting the pace and winning by two lengths from $9.50 chance Mister Montblanc, who ran home strongly after racing in fifth position, three back on the pegs.
“With Mandown being off the front on his own it was a concern,” said Hall after the race. “He wasn’t as quick out as he was from barrier five three starts earlier when he was having his first run in a stand. But he paced away smoothly, and that was all he had to do, really.”
Mandown, a winner at two of his 16 starts in New Zealand, has thrived under Hall’s care and his nine WA starts have produced six wins and a second placing, taking his career record to 25 starts for eight wins, seven placings and $77,436.