Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Smart Victorian-bred pacer All Is Well showed that he has the ability to develop into a leading contender for the $50,000 Hoist Torque Australia Chandon Four-Year-Old Classic on February 23 when he scored an impressive victory in the $23,000 Chip In Jimmy Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
He was the $1.50 favourite from the outside barrier (No. 7) on the front line, and Chris Lewis played the waiting game, being happy to keep the Foreclosure gelding in last place in the field of eight before beginning a three-wide move a thousand metres from home.
All Is Well sustained a spirited effort to wrest the lead from the pacemaker Marbeechsam ($7) 200m from home and then go on and win by just under a length from $17 chance Lucapelo, who finished strongly from sixth at the bell. Fly To Fame ($71), a stablemate of the winner, finished solidly from fifth at the bell to be third.
“I didn’t want to get involved (early),” said Lewis. “Whether you can come from last depends on the pace of the race. I thought that All Is Well was the class horse, and he has done it well. He had to work, and it wasn’t a gimme. He has gradually improved to where he is today.”
Trainer Katja Warwick said that All Is Well was getting stronger with every run. “He is also starting to learn how to race,” she said. “He is versatile; he can run off the front and can take a sit, as well as doing a bit of work.
“Fly To Fame is a little ripper, and I’m looking forward to her performing well in this preparation. Our third runner in tonight’s race, Travelban faded after racing without cover. He is still learning and is a horse for the future.”
All Is Well has earned $126,296 from 12 wins and ten placings from 35 starts.