Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Brilliant filly August Moon remained unbeaten in her current campaign when she outclassed her ten rivals in the 2130m The Running Camel Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
She was the $1.60 favourite from barrier four when Gary Hall gave her an ideal trip in the one-out, one-back position before sending her forward, with a sharp three-wide burst at the bell which saw her burst to the front 250m from home and go on and beat the pacemaking Castella Dellacqua by four lengths, rating 1.57.1 after final quarters of 29.4sec., 28.9sec. and 29.6sec.
“I want to space her runs to have her cherry ripe for the big races,” said trainer Luke Edwards. “Gary has had a big opinion of her from the first time he sat behind her.
“I don’t work her too hard at home, but she is a little professional who loves to work hard in her races. I’d hate to be the horse in front because August Moon just levels up and says ‘Let’s Go Baby.’
“It was a bit of a test tonight, with Castella Dellacqua setting a fast pace. I was a bit worried that I might have been too easy on August Moon, who was having her first run for three weeks.
“August Moon probably will have her next start in a fortnight, and then she will run in the $100,000 Westbred Classic for fillies on September 8. We will attack that race before getting her ready for the WA Oaks on October 6.”
August Moon has won easily at her three appearances in her current preparation. She has earned $139,190 from seven wins and five placings from 14 starts.