Ken Casellas | Photo: Hamilton Content Creators
“He has really found some new-found gate speed,” said Stuart McDonald after driving consistent five-year-old Euphoria to victory in the #Skyharness Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Euphoria, trained by Gary Hall Snr and a $4.50 chance from barrier five, surged to the front after $17 chance and last-start winner Tuas Delight led from barrier four for the first 250m.
“He has always had gate speed, but after being fired out a few times lately he’s got the hang of it and got faster,” said McDonald. “He probably could have got to the front easier if Tuas Delight had not drawn to our immediate inside. If Euphoria had drawn wider, I would’ve been able to cross a lot earlier.
“Once in front he’s always hard to run down. Ideal Agent (the $2.35 favourite) had got to the breeze comfortably and I’d burnt hard. But I was able to get a good breather and I was comfortable with the first half (60.7sec.).” Euphoria then was able to sprint over the final 400m sections in 28.3sec. and 28.7sec. and he won by a half-length from Ideal Agent, rating 1.57.2 over 2130m.
Euphoria has been a splendid moneyspinner and he has earned $161,243 from 13 wins and 26 placings from 62 starts.