Ken Casellas | Race Replay
Pinjarra hobby trainer Kyle Anderson enjoys getting out of bed early and working his only pacer Chekker in the dark before heading off to work as a process operator at Alcoa.
And when his four-year-old mare Chekker, a $7.80 chance driven by Stuart McDonald, gained a narrow victory in the 1730m Go To Allwood Stud Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night it completed a wonderful week for the 38-year-old.
“It’s been a good week,” said Anderson. “I’m a member of a syndicate of mates, and our galloper Paint It Red, trained by Luke Fernie, won a race as an $8.50 chance at Ascot on Wednesday.”
Chekker began from barrier six and after Icy Cold ($4.40) galloped at the start and $71 outsider Ciao Babe defied an early challenge from $3.80 chance Minor Catastrophe to set the pace, McDonald bided his time before he sent Chekker forward with a sharp burst to take up the running after 550m.
Chekker led by two lengths on the home turn and then held on gamely to win by a head from $6.50 chance Jolted Charm, who ran on fast from sixth at the bell to finish second, a head behind the pacemaker, who rated 1.56.9.
“Though she is a four-year-old, Chekker is still learning,” said Anderson. “Stewie said that she was looking around at everything up the home straight. She should improve and she is more tough than she is speedy.”
Chekker is by Caribbean Dancer and is the first foal out of the New Zealand-bred mare Our Clarisa, who was bred and owned by Jim Morgan and raced 130 times for six wins, 31 placings and $59,313.
Morgan also bred and owns Chekker, who revealed early promise when she was a $32.10 chance and won the Westbred Classic for three-year-old fillies in July last year.