Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Veteran Byford trainer Trevor Wright has raced only one pacer in 2023 and it is his gift horse Cordero who continues to provide him with many wonderful moments.
Cordero, a WA-bred seven-year-old, was bred and owned by Bryan Cousins, who was so disappointed at the pacer’s debut as a $104 outsider at Pinjarra on April 16, 2018 when he finished last, 109 metres behind the winner Valbonne, that he gave him to Wright as a gift.
Since then Cordero has had 121 starts for the 69-year-old Wright for 14 wins, 29 placings and stakes of $193,280. He scored his eighth Gloucester Park victory on Friday night when he was a $20.30 chance and was driven by Deni Roberts, who brought him home with a fast-finishing burst to beat the pacemaker Seeryanfly ($3) by a half-length after trailing that pacer all the way.
Cordero’s sparkling late sprint was reminiscent of his effort when he scored his first metro-class victory in February of last year when he was an outsider at $119.50 and caused a major upset in charging home to beat champion Chicago Bull by a nose, with Patronus Star in third place.
Cordero is by American stallion Western Terror and has inherited much of his ability from his dam Innocent Eyes, who earned $421,875 from 18 wins and 17 placings from 62 starts. Her victories included the Victorian and Australian Oaks at Moonee Valley in 2005 and the Chariots Of Fire at Harold Park in January 2006.