Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Champion trainer Gary Hall Snr produced Delighful Peg in fine fettle for her first-up appearance for four months when she overcame the awkward draw at barrier No. 5 to score a stylish victory in the $25,000 Slot Opportunities Free-For-All for mares over 2130m at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Gary Hall Jnr got Delightful Peg, the $1.85 favourite, away to a flying start and she gave an excellent frontrunning performance to rate 1.55.2 in winning by more than a length from Penny Black, who fought on gamely after racing without cover all the way.
“There is a lot to like about her,” said Hall. “On the home turn I expected that she would go to the line pretty much locked together with Penny Black. Her last hundred was really pleasing.”
Delightful Peg, a New Zealand-bred four-year-old, has won at five of her six starts in Western Australia and gives every indication that she will develop into a leading candidate for the rich feature events for mares later in the year. Her first-up success improved her career record to 26 starts for eight wins, three placings and $119,388 in stakes.
Delightful Peg’s win gave Hall the first leg of a driving treble. He was also successful with Scooter B in the Mick Bandoni Celt Pace and Getn Wiggy Withit in the Taste of WA Pace.
Scooter B, the $1.50 favourite, began from barrier eight and settled at the rear before being sent forward after 700m to race outside the pacemaker and stablemate Atlas The Titan ($13). Scooter B got to the front with 120m to travel and won by a length from $31 chance Major Disco, who sustained a spirited burst from the rear.
Eight-year-old Getn Wiggy Withit was a $7.80 chance when he lined up at barrier No. 3 for his first run after a 15-week absence. He was produced in excellent shape by Gnangara trainer Luke Edwards, and was driven aggressively by Hall, who dashed him straight to the front and after a lead time of 7.5sec. sprinted over the opening 400m section in 28.7sec. with the $2.25 favourite Wicked Hustler in the breeze.
Getn Wiggy Withit excelled in his pacemaking role, and he won by more than two lengths from $15 chance Franco Mecca, who ran home strongly from fifth at the bell, three back on the pegs.
“Luke was confident before the race,” said Hall. “He expected him to be virtually unbeatable if he found the front. It all turned out well. I let him slide over the short trip. His will to win has been questionable at times, but he got a big enough break and was happy to hold it.”