Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
“He has been unlucky, and he was overdue for a change of luck,” said owner-trainer Debbie Padberg after Lindsay Harper had driven six-year-old State Of Heaven to win the 2130m Moonstream Information Services Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
“Last week he got knocked over when the No. 1 horse galloped in front of him at the start, and at his previous start he was held up for a clear run in the last lap,” said Padberg. “So, nothing seemed to be going right, until this week when he got a good barrier draw (No. 2) and wasn’t taken on when he led. Everything went perfectly.”
State Of Heaven was the $4.40 second fancy, with Flying Rumour, the only runner on the back line, the $3 favourite.
Surprisingly, State Of Heaven was beaten for early speed, with Nathan Turvey sending $26 chance Eton Rock straight to the front from barrier three. Harper, driving State Of Heaven for the first time, then dashed the gelding to the front after 250m, with a slow lead time of 38.1sec. and a casual opening quarter of 31.1sec.
State Of Heaven covered the final quarters in 28.1sec. and 28.9sec. and won by just under a length from Eton Rock. Flying Rumour faded to finish last after racing in the breeze.
The New Zealand-bred State Of Heaven is by Rock N Roll Heaven and is the third foal out of Stateofthenation, who was retired after winning once from her eleven starts. State Of Heaven has earned $121,478 from 11 wins and 24 placings from 60 starts.