Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Seasoned campaigner Duty Bound, the $2.80 second fancy, was suited by a modest early pace in the 2130m HTA Reaching For The Top Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night when he gave a solid frontrunning performance to hang on and win by a half-head from the fast-finishing $15 chance Eye Better, who sat behind the leader all the way.
Duty Bound, trained by Jemma Hayman, completed a double for Chis Voak, who had been successful with Highview Heidi in the previous event.
After a slow lead time of 37.9sec. by the polemarker Duty Bound and opening quarters of 30.6sec. and 30.5sec. the New Zealand-bred eight-year-old dashed over the third quarter in 28.5sec. and just held on to win, with a final 400m of 29sec.
This was his second start after a spell, and followed his first-up fifth behind Franco Encore the previous week when he wilted after setting the pace.
Duty Bound is by Mach Three and is the third foal (and only winner) out of the Washington VC mare Well Hereshoping, who raced 37 times for four country wins and eight placings in Victoria.
Duty Bound has had 55 starts for eight wins, 23 placings and $68,557. His five New Zealand starts produced two seconds, he raced 31 times in Victoria for five wins and 14 placings, and he has had 19 WA starts for three wins and seven placings.