Ken Casellas | Race Replay
Heres Herbie revealed outstanding ability and splendid staying potential when he made a remarkable Australian debut with a runaway victory in the 2130m TABtouch Scan My Bet Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Though he was successful at only nine of his 66 starts in New Zealand Heres Herbie looks destined to develop into a serious contender for the $450,000 WA Pacing Cup on December 11.
Having his first start since winning the 2810m Christmas Cup on the grass track at the Banks Peninsular course on December 29, he was the $1.20 favourite from the No. 5 barrier on Friday night and was held at bay by $11 chance Opal Hunter during a scorching lead time of 35.5sec.
Driver Deni Roberts then was content to remain in the breeze while Opal Hunter set a fast pace with an opening 800m of the final mile of 59sec. before the last 800m whizzed by in 56.8sec.
Heres Herbie took a narrow lead with 300m to travel before dashing away to win by 10m from $17 chance Sweet Pins, who finished strongly from ninth at the bell, rating a smart 1.54.3.
Heres Herbie is a younger full-brother Gee Heza Sport, who has earned $553,889 from 15 wins and 17 placings from 68 starts. Heres Herbie is prepared by champion trainers Greg and Skye Bond, who have given Gee Heza Sport 22 starts for eight wins and eight placings.
The Bonds race the full-brothers in partnership with New Zealanders Colin and Julie De Filippi, with Mrs Bond saying: “When Heres Herbie got on his mark in New Zealand, Colin and Julie decided to send the horse to us under a similar deal as we have with Gee Heza Sport.
“It was a great run by Heres Herbie tonight, and he gives you the feel of a very good horse in trackwork at home. So, it wasn’t surprising to see what he did tonight.”
The win of Heres Herbie in race two was followed by victories in the following two events by the Bond-trained Captainshavtime and Mad Monday, four-year-olds driven expertly by Roberts.
Captainshavtime ($1.90) began brilliantly from barrier five and relished the role of pacemaker in winning by more than two lengths from $26 chance Xceptional Arma in the $25,000 TABtouch Download Today Empress Stakes Consolation over 2536m.
“Captainshavtime has matured and is now a happier horse whose past couple of runs have been fantastic,” said Mrs Bond. “If she keeps stepping up, she should play a part in the big races for mares later in the year.”
Mad Monday, an $8.70 chance from barrier six in the $100,000 Preux Chevalier Four-Year-Old Classic over 2536, mustered great early pace to speed to the front after 220m. He then bowled along in front and after final quarters of 28.2sec. and 28.3sec. he beat $34 outsider Last Hard Copy, who finished fast after enjoying a perfect sit behind the pacemaker.
“Mad Monday’s work at home has been really good and this franked what he has done at home,” said Mrs Bond. “He will be aimed at the feature events for four-year-olds later in the year.”
Master trainer Gary Hall Snr notched his sixth win in the annual Parliamentarians Cup when Gary Hall Jnr brought $7.30 chance Alta Tribute home with a spirited burst to snatch a half-head victory over the fast-finishing Tiger Royal ($11).
Hall Senior’s previous Parliamentarians Cup winners have been Tricky Bey (1994), Our London Pride (1999), Im Themightyquinn (2012), Ideal Alice (2016) and Prince Of Pleasure (2025).
Wishing Belle ($1.10) maintained her outstanding form for leading trainer-reinsman Aiden De Campo when she began out wide at barrier No. 8 before dashing to the front after 220m and setting the pace and winning the $100,000 APG Sales Classic for three-year-old fillies by a half-length from $21 chance Livy Ann, who trailed the leader throughout.
“She wasn’t at her best tonight,” said De Campo. “She had some feet problems during the week. But she is a tough filly and got the job done.”