Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Talented trainer-reinsman Corey Peterson chalked up a notable first in harness racing when he prepared and drove promising filly Manhattan Ruby to an impressive victory in the $31,000 Garrard’s Here On Track Pace over 2130m at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
This gave the 24-year-old Peterson his first success as a breeder in a metropolitan-class event, with the first pacer he has bred.
Manhattan Ruby, the $1.70 favourite, burst to the front from the No. 4 barrier and gave a splendid frontrunning display to win by ten metres from $10 chance Lou Lamour, who ran home solidly from fifth on the pegs at the bell. She covered the final 800m in 57.2sec. and rated 1.58.4.
This completed a hat-trick of wins and took the filly’s record to four starts for three wins and $28,260 in prizemoney.
Manhattan Ruby is by former star pacer Soho Tribeca and is the first foal out of Bettors Delight mare The Achiever, who raced 16 times for four wins, two placings and $23,671.
The Achiever was sent to WA trainer-reinsman Kim Prentice in 2017 by her owners, members of the prominent Butt harness racing family in New Zealand. She made her WA debut at Pinjarra on December 4, 2017, when she faded to finish eighth behind Beaudiene Beach Babe and then broke down with a damaged tendon.
The Achiever eventually recovered, and then Peterson sought approval to prepare the mare. “I asked if I could give her a go,” said Peterson. “And she won four races for me (two at Pinjarra and one at both Gloucester Park and Northam) before breaking down again.
“The owners then said I could have The Achiever as a gift and use her as a broodmare. She is a good filly, and her main aim is the Westbred Classic in September. I will give her a month to six weeks off before preparing her for the Westbred race and then see how she goes before deciding whether to get her ready for the WA Oaks.”