Ken Casellas | Photo: Hamilton Content Creators
Problem pacer El Chema gave a sample of his class when he overcame difficulties to score a thrilling win in the 2130m Westral Plantation Shutters Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
The four-year-old New Zealand-bred El Chema was the $1.60 favourite from the prized No. 1 barrier and the chunky little gelding gave his supporters many anxious moments after he was crossed at the start by the $3.10 second fancy Stamford and was hopelessly hemmed in as Stamford led his rivals into the home bend.
Once the field had straightened for the run home Aiden de Campo looked to his right and saw Ragazzo Mach sprinting strongly out wide on the track, and he dashed away with Stamford in a bid to keep that pacer at bay.
This enabled Emily Suvaljko to get El Chema into the clear 110m from the post, and the favourite sprouted wings to rocket home and get up and snatch victory by a head from Stamford, with Ragazzo Mach finishing third.
Suvaljkjo admitted that she was concerned after Stamford had beaten El Chema out at the start, saying: “Stamford is a pretty quick beginner, and this was El Chema’s first time back under lights for a while (since winning at Gloucester Park on May 17 this year). So, I didn’t want to put ourselves out of the race (by pushing too hard out of the gate and perhaps breaking).
“It would have been nice to lead, but I didn’t want the free-legged El Chema to gallop. I was a bit nervous when I got crossed, and I didn’t know if I would be able to get out (in the last lap) when I had Aiden in front, and Chris Lewis (Classic Choice) and Junior (Gary Hall Jnr on Firerockfireroll) boxing me in. So, I was nervous.
“I was trying to sit back off Aiden to come wide on the corner. But the horse didn’t want to do that. Then he got that lucky split, and he’s so fast.”
This was El Chema’s first appearance at Gloucester Park since last May when he began from barrier six, galloped in the score-up and lost ten lengths. He was last at the 700m before charging to the front 310m later and winning by three lengths from Armarockstar.
El Chema raced with hopples for his first nine starts before racing free-legged for his next 15 starts.
“He has let me down quite a few times,” said trainer Justin Prentice. “Early on he had problems with overracing, and seeming unhappy.”
El Chema is by champion sire Bettors Delight and is the third foal out of Spirit Of Shard, who earned $55,703 from six wins and six placings from 26 starts. His full-sister Dracarys had a splendid career with Prentice, winning 13 races before being retired with a record of 59 starts for 17 wins, 12 placings and $211,371.
Dracarys and El Chema’s half-brother Spirit Of St Louis is one of Australia’s best pacers who boasts a record of 46 starts for 20 wins, 13 placings and stakes of $711,126, with highlights of his career including seconds to King Of Swing in the Miracle Mile at Menangle early this year and to Majestic Cruiser in the Blacks A Fake Championship at Albion Park in July.