Ken Casellas | Photo: Hamilton Content Creators
Promising three-year-old filly August Moon looks set for a profitable campaign when she romped to victory in the 1730m Barbagallo Watch Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Making her first appearance for Gnangara trainer Luke Edwards for 21 weeks, August Moon was a hot $1.60 favourite when Gary Hall Jnr dashed her straight to the front from the No. 3 barrier.
August Moon coasted through the opening quarters in 31.3sec. and 31sec. before sprinting over the final 400m sections in 27.7sec. and 28.1sec. to win by three lengths from the $5 second fancy Fly To Fame, who raced without cover all the way. August Moon rated 1.57.1.
“She had seven starts for one win and four seconds as a two-year-old,” said Edwards. “It was just her tractability that prevented her from a better record as a two-year-old. She would’ve needed the run tonight, and now I’ll be getting her ready for the $50,000 Sales Classic next Friday week.”
Hall has a high opinion of August Moon, who is by American sire Captaintreacherous, and is the second foal out of former smart New Zealand-bred mare My Samantha Jane, who raced 72 times for 15 wins, 21 placings and $166,426 in prizemoney.
“She is a nice filly who still has a few little fine-tuning things to improve on,” he said. “She has a really good motor and has good speed when you wake her up. We know she can stay, as well. She looks to me that she has doubled in size, so she’ll probably get better and stronger.”