Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Gifted driver Maddison happily made the most of an unexpected situation to guide $2 favourite Arma Xfactor to a convincing victory in the $21,000 West Australian Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
“I definitely expected to be in the breeze, but things all worked out in my favour,” she said.
“It certainly didn’t turn out the way I expected (with Firerockfireroll leading and Arma Xfactor in the breeze). I also thought that Valbonne could be sent forward, and then when Jaspervellabeach dashed straight to the front, I wondered if they would hand up.”
Brown decided to challenge Jaspervellabeach, and she was able to send Arma Xfactor to the front after 500m.
“Arma Xfactor worked a bit hard (with a lead time of 36.7sec.) so it was nice to be able to run the opening quarter in 31.6sec. — just for insurance,” said Brown.
“He settled and then wanted to go at the right time, and he hit the line strongly — after he had been a little weak in previous starts. So, he redeemed himself.”
Last-start winner Firerockfireroll was beaten for early pace, and he was sixth, three back on the pegs at the bell, before battling on to finish fourth. Jaspervellabeach finished second — to notch his first placing after 24 unplaced efforts since his most recent success, at Gloucester Park on September 30, 2022.
Arma Xfactor, a four-year-old by American sire American Ideal, is out of Arma Xpress, an outstanding juvenile who was retired after racing 18 times for twelve wins and a second placing for stakes of $279,890. Her wins included the Golden Slipper, the Gold Bracelet, the Champagne Stakes and the Sales Classic as a two-year-old and the Westbred Classic as a three-year-old.
Arma Xfactor, trained by Colin Brown, now has had 38 starts for 12 wins, six placings and $114,376. Maddison Brown has formed a splendid association with the young stallion, having driven him 14 times for eight wins and two placings.