Ken Casellas | Photo: Hamilton Content Creators
Top-flight New Zealand-bred gelding Ezana gave further proof that he will be a leading contender for the rich feature events for four-year-olds in November and December when he resumed racing after a beneficial spell with a stylish victory in the $23,750 Simon Miller Racing Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Making his first appearance for 14 weeks, Ezana, a $10.20 chance, was driven perfectly by Aldo Cortopassi to defeat the $1.24 favourite Ideal Agent, who was also resuming after a spell.
Ezana was produced in fine fettle by Mt Helena trainer Ray Williams, who was confined to his home, suffering from the coronavirus. The gelding was in the capable hands of Northam trainer Mike Williams.
“The Golden Nugget (with a stake of $200 and to be run on December 16) is the main aim for him,” said Cortopassi, who restrained Ezana from barrier three in a bid to angle across and gain a favourable passage on the pegs.
“The plan was to go three the fence, but I was happy when Angel In White dashed forward early into the breeze (outside the pacemaker Ideal Agent) and this gave me the one-out, one-back sit. And with Angel In White in the breeze I knew she was going to soften up Ideal Agent at some stage.
“It also helped us a bit with Ideal Agent racing first-up. We had the soft trip, while Ideal Agent was softened up a bit. Ezana hit the line well, and now it’s onwards and upwards.”
After a slow lead time of 39.4sec. and opening quarters of 31.8sec. and 29.3sec. the third quarter of the final mile was run in 28.4sec. and Ezana finished powerfully with a final 400m of 27.9sec. to beat Ideal Agent by 2m, rating 1.58.4 over the 2130m journey.
Ezana won once from nine New Zealand starts, and his 14 West Australian appearances have produced ten wins and two seconds to take his career record to 23 starts for 11 wins, five placings and $85,105.
Ezana is by champion sire Bettors Delight and is the first foal out of the American Ideal mare Hartofdixie, who raced 25 times for six wins, eight placings and $50,299. Hartofdixie’s elder half-brother Our Maxim earned $510,151 from 12 wins and 14 placings from 37 starts.
Our Maxim won the group 1 Sires Series final for two-year-old colts and geldings at Addington in May 2013 and the group 1 Victoria Derby at Melton in February 2014 when he beat Our Sky Major by a head. He also was placed in five other group events in New Zealand.