The $50,000 Empress Stakes on March 26 looms as an ideal target for the experienced in-form Delightfulreaction, who maintained her consistent form with a fast-finishing victory in the Join The Caduceus Club Pace at Gloucester Park on Saturday night.
“She never runs a bad race,” said star Capel trained Aiden de Campo after Corey Peterson had brought Delightfulreaction home with a powerful three and four-wide burst from ninth at the bell to beat $51 outsider Bettor Pack It and $81 chance Bettor Copagoodone.
This followed Delightfulreaction’s strong-finishing win in a 2503m stand eight nights earlier. From out wide at barrier No. 8 on Saturday night, Delightfulreaction lacked admirers and she was a $22.70 chance on the tote and was quoted at $31 on the fixed market.
Peterson was engaged to drive Delightfulreaction, with his concession enabling the mare to run in the $19,000 event. It was his first drive for the de Campo stable, and he made the most of the opportunity, with Delightfulreaction racing near the rear before unleashing her spirited finishing burst.
Delightfulreaction has raced 86 times for 14 wins, 28 placings and stakes of $207,712.
The polemarker and $1.45 favourite Rumour Has It was somewhat surprisingly beaten for early speed and settled down three back on the pegs before being shuffled back to the rear at the bell. She was still tenth at the 500m and impressed in unleashing a powerful finishing burst, out wide, to be an eye-catching fourth.
By Ken Casellas