Ken Casellas | Photo: Hamilton Content Creators
New Zealand-bred five-year-old Double Up is gaining a reputation as a long-priced specialist and a pacer blessed with a powerful late burst.
He started out wide at barrier No. 7 in the 2130m Garrard’s Service With Integrity Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night and was a $19.90 tote chance and a $26 outsider on the fixed market.
Dylan Egerton-Green did not bustle Double Up early, and he settled down in last position in the field of eleven, while the $1.40 favourite Born To Boogie was setting a fast pace, with veteran star Vultan Tin ($11) putting plenty of pressure on her.
Double Up was ninth at the bell and Egerton-Green was able to manoeuvre his way through tight traffic to get Double Up into the clear at the straight entrance. Double Up then went four wide and was sixth at the 60m mark before he charged home to snatch a last-stride victory by a half-head from Vultan Tin, who had taken the lead moments earlier.
A head away in third place was Classic Choice ($34) and Born To Boogie was a further head away in fourth place, with Savvy Bromac ($10) catching the eye with a powerful five-wide burst to finish a close-up fifth.
“Double Up got a pretty nice run before I had to grab him up in a bid to get clear, and then he sprinted very well,” said Egerton-Green.
Double Up also caused an upset in a heat of the Nights Of Thunder early in January this year when he started from the outside barrier and raced at the rear before flying home to get up and win from Bettorstartdreaming. He was driven by Deni Roberts and started at $86 and at $126 on the fixed market.
Double Up, a winner two of his 14 New Zealand starts, has raced 24 times in Western Australia for 11 wins and eight placings. He is by American Ideal and is the second foal out of Vegas Delight, who had 36 starts for five wins, 14 placings and stakes of $48,071.