Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Speedy seven-year-old Dalvey Robyn overcame the distinct disadvantage of starting from the outside barrier (No. 9) after daring tactics from his trainer and driver Gary Hall jnr paved the way for his smart victory in the $27,000 Call Garrard’s Horse And Hound For All Your Equine Needs Pace over 1730m at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Dalvey Robyn, the $5.30 second favourite, settled down in sixth position in the one-wide line before Hall seized the initiative by sending the New Zealand-bred gelding forward, three wide, after 400m to move to the breeze with the $2.60 favourite Rocknrollartist setting the pace.
Dalvey Robyn forged to the front on the home turn and won by a length from $7 chance My Ultimate Chevron, who trailed the leader all the way.
“I was a bit worried that going forward early could result in being wide for a long time,” said Hall. “But luckily, we got across (to the breeze) pretty comfortably. He is a rolling stayer and had his ears pricked the whole way and was happy to be out there.
“His best asset is his point-to-point speed, but you don’t get to use that very often when you have drawn number nine, and it was good to see him make his own luck.”
Dalvey Robyn has won at four of his 13 starts for Hall, taking his career record to 61 starts for 13 wins, 16 seconds, nine thirds and $174,777 in prizemoney.
While Hall was more than happy with Dalvey Robyn’s victory, he was upset at losing his stablemate Ventura, who did not survive after fracturing a shoulder during trackwork earlier in the week.
Ventura, a New Zealand-bred six-year-old, had raced 37 times for 13 wins, ten placings and $134,610, with his 22 WA starts producing eleven wins and five placings.
He was driven by Stuart McDonald when he broke down during trackwork at the Hall family’s Serpentine property.
“Ventura slowed right down and then fell,” said Hall. “He couldn’t save him. I was working Mister Smartee in front, and Ventura was following. Usually, we let Ventura lead, so it was fortunate that he wasn’t leading, with Mister Smartee right behind him. He was a lovely horse.”