Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Chaco Eagle, at his second start after a spell, survived considerable pressure, early and in the middle stages, before fighting on grandly to win the 2130m North Coast Fibreglass Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
The four-year-old horse, bred, owned and trained by Tonia Stampalia, was driven by her brother Vance, and was the $3.60 second favourite from the No. 1 barrier.
But there was little peace for Chaco Eagle, who was challenged hard for the early lead by Sista Sammy ($5) and the $2.45 favourite Chivalry.
Chaco Eagle managed to hold the challengers at bay during a swift lead time of 35.7sec., and then was able to cover the opening 400m section of the final mile in a modest 31.9sec. before he needed to lift his rating when there was further pressure racing into the bell with a 30sec. second quarter, followed by a 28.8sec. section in the back straight.
Chivalry sustained a spirited burst to get to the front (by a neck out three wide) with 400m to travel. However, Chaco Eagle dug deep and regained the lead before winning by a half-length from $26 chance Rodasi, with Chivalry finishing third. The final quarter was run in 29.7sec. and Chaco Eagle rated 1.57.9.
Chaco Eagle is by Fly Like An Eagle and is out of Renascentari, who ended her career with earnings of $20,517 from one win and ten placings from 70 starts.
Tonia Stampalia trained and drove Renascentari when the mare notched her only win, at her 69TH start, when she was a $7 chance from the No. 1 barrier and gave a strong frontrunning performance to win by two lengths from A Force In Action in a race at Northam on November 10, 2015.
Renascentari’s elder half-brother Renascentur raced for ten seasons for the Stampalia family before being retired with a record of 139 starts for 20 wins, 43 placings and $169,502 in prizemoney.