Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Outstanding young driver Emily Suvaljko paved the way for Navy Street’s win in the 2130m Christopher Dance Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night by getting the five-year-old away to a flying start from the No. 5 barrier.
Navy Street, owned and trained by Karen Thompson, was a $7.20 chance who relished his frontrunning role when he beat the strong-finishing Lets Get Rockin ($4.20) and Middlepage ($10).
Navy Street’s victory came in the middle of a remarkable golden streak for the 24-year-old Suvaljko.
She travelled down to Albany where she had six drives on Saturday night for four wins, with Vintage Blu, Heez A Vibe, Lets Rock Tonight and Shoal Bay, to give her 14 winners in the space of nine days.
Her purple patch began at Albany last Friday week when she landed a treble with Princess Katie, Heez A Vibe and My Ultimate Chevron, and this was followed by a win with Lord Publisher at Gloucester Park the following night, a double with Cyclone Kadabramelia and El Schiuma at Pinjarra three days later, and a treble with Elsamay, Ripper View and Veeforvictory at Busselton on Boxing Day.
“Navy Street has good gate speed but on paper there appeared plenty of gate speed on his inside,” said Suvaljko. “But he flew away and won it at the start. He probably didn’t travel quite as good as I wanted him to; he’s a bit laid back when he is in front, and he waits for them a bit.”
Mrs Thompson has no regrets at her decision to buy Navy Street for $11,000 last March, with the gelding now having had 24 starts for her for three wins, three placings and $40,640 in prizemoney.
Navy Street, who ended a losing sequence of eleven, has earned $115,362 from 13 wins and 13 placings from 67 starts. He is by American sire Hes Watching and is the fourth foal out of the unraced mare Life Of Bryne.
He is related to several top-class WA pacers, including Remit, Whitbys Miss Penny, Ace Of Whitby, Whitby Timer, Whitby Heritage, Whitby Merit, Montana Anna and Aikido Whitby.