Ken Casellas | Photo: Hamilton Content Creators
Victorian-bred five-year-old Dominus Factum resumed after a four-month absence in fine style when trainer Aiden De Campo drove the $1.50 favourite to a comfortable all-the-way victory in the 1730m Summit Bloodstock Reach the Peak Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Dominus Factum, who had disappointed when unplaced at his previous six starts before being sent for a spell, is a noted frontrunner and 13 of his 16 wins have been when he has set the pace.
He was purchased by Andrew De Campo for $19,000 as a yearling in Melbourne and has proved a bargain for his team of owners, earning $137,438 from 16 wins and 11 placings from 49 starts.
“The plan was to use his gate speed and lead,” said Aiden De Campo. “I’m not quite sure why his form deteriorated towards the end of his previous campaign. He had a few little issues but nothing serious. Maybe he had had enough.”
Dominus Factum gave his rivals little hope when he sprinted over the final 800m in 56.8sec. and he won by 4m at a 1.55.4 rate from $26 chance Bettorstartdreaming, who fought on doggedly after racing in the breeze. You Fly With Me ($4.20) raced three back on the pegs in fifth position before finishing solidly into third place.