Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Henley Brook trainer Kevin Keys has nursed Alcopony back to full health after the four-year-old was laid low by a damaged knee, and the WA-bred gelding has returned to racing in grand style.
Alcopony was the $1.60 favourite from the No. 1 barrier in the 1730m Ultimate Sniper Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night when he gave a bold frontrunning display to beat Mea Culpa ($9) and Watts Up Sunshine ($3.80).
Driven by Aiden De Campo, Alcopony kept his rivals honest by reeling off 400m sections of 29.1sec., 28.5sec., 27.9sec. and 28.7sec. He rated a smart 1.53.1 and improved his record to 46 starts for 11 wins, 16 placings and $138,401 in prizemoney.
Alcopony was able to fend off his rivals despite his ear plugs failing to release.
Mea Culpa, who worked hard in the breeze after failing in a strong bid for the early lead, and Watts Up Sunshine, who trailed the pacemaker and did not get clear until the final 200m before fighting on strongly, will pay to follow.
Alcopony’s win followed placings behind Mea Culpa and Youre So Fine at his first two appearances after a three-month absence.
“It was the morning after Alcopony had finished a close second to Prince Of Pleasure in May that he was kicked on his offside knee by another horse in the paddock,” said Keys.
“X-rays revealed no fractures, but an infection set in, and that took a while to be cured. I had to treat the knee every day, and he also exercised on the treadmill every day.”
Three of Alcopony’s past four wins have been over 1730m, and he has led at seven of his eleven starts. However, Keys said that Alcopony was not just a 1700m horse or does not have to lead in his races.
“Leading is not his cup of tea,” said Keys. “But having the No. 1 barrier tonight was a bonus. I reckon the better the opposition, the better he will go. Sitting is his better style of racing, and we will definitely be looking at the big feature races for four-year-olds later this year.”