Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Veteran pacer Diego ran an excellent trial for the $300,000 Retravision Fremantle Cup next Friday week when he relished his pacemaking role to win the $31,000 Sky Racing Free-For-All at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
At his third outing for trainer Gary Hall Snr after a resuming from a spell, Diego was the $2.50 favourite from the No. 1 barrier in the 2130m event, in which brilliant Victorian pacer Catch A Wave was the second fancy at $2.90 at his WA debut and starting from the No. 2 barrier on the back line.
Diego, handled by his regular driver Maddison Brown, won the start and after a modest lead time of 37.1sec. was able to amble through the opening 400m sections in 31.1sec. and 31sec. before increasing the tempo with final quarters of 27.2sec. and 28sec.
He scored by just under a length from $13 chance Blitzembye, who ran home solidly after enjoying a perfect trip behind the frontrunning Diego.
Catch A Wave, who settled down in ninth position, dashed forward approaching the bell and sustained a spirited three-wide burst which carried him into second place, out three wide, in the final lap before fighting on to finish an excellent fourth, a run which is sure to have him at his peak for the Nullarbor slot race next Friday night.
After the race, Jim Giumelli decided that his Swandoo Harness Racing syndicate would be represented by Blitzembye in the $1.25 million Nullarbor event.
Diego will contest the $31,000 Nullarbor Consolation over 2536m next Friday night before running in the 2936m Fremantle Cup the following Friday.
“Diego travelled really good, and it makes it easier with 31sec. opening quarters,” said Brown. “He knocked off a bit when he was out in front with no-one around him. I would like to put a set of pull-downs on him just to sharpen him up.”
Diego, an eight-year-old by Bettors Delight, has been a wonderful performer who has raced 92 times for 25 wins, 21 placings and stakes of $852,141.