Ken Casellas | Photo: Gloucester Park Harness Racing
Supporters of classy colt Ronald Scott had their hearts in their mouths when the $1.04 favourite broke into an uncontrollable gallop in the home straight in the $25,000 Westsired Pace for two-year-old colts and geldings at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Ronald Scott set the pace for trainer-driver Jocelyn Young, who kept a cool head when he galloped over the final 50 metres and won by just under two lengths from the $5 second fancy Reddy To Fly, who had moved to within a head of the pacemaker approaching the home turn.
“I wasn’t worried when Reddy To Fly got close,” said Young. “I knew that Ronald Scott had plenty to give, but I was a bit worried about pulling his ear plugs — after what he did at his previous start when he over-reacted, got jammed up and broke.
“Tonight, he was in the clear, but he was trying to go too fast and got out of his gear. He has been sent back to do a satisfactory trial before racing again.”
Ronald Scott, who had dashed away to be two lengths clear of Reddy To Fly when he broke into a gallop, did not lose any ground and did not make up any ground.
He now has won at three of his six starts for earnings of $27,306. He is by former brilliant pacer Bonavista Bay, who amassed $504,499 from 17 wins and six placings from 33 starts. Included in his notable triumphs were feature Gloucester Park victories in the Golden Nugget in November 2009 and the McInerney Ford Classic the following January.
Ronald Scott’s dam Maybe A Corka raced 65 times for eight wins, 17 placings and $32,021. After six wins in South Australia Mybe A Corka was successful at Albany and Wagin in 2016.
Young is hoping that Ronald Scott will continue to improve and become a candidate for the $225,000 Westbred Classic for two-year-old colts and geldings on September 16.