Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
New Zealand-bred four-year-old Hale Saint Louie showed that he has the potential to develop into a star pacer when he charged home from tenth and last at the 900m to burst to the front on the home turn and race away to score a dashing victory in the 2130m Westside Auto Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
He was the $4.20 third favourite from the outside barrier (No. 9) on the front line, and trainer-reinsman Dylan Egerton-Green revealed his extreme confidence when he restrained him to the rear while Chris Lewis dashed the $3.50 second fancy Winegum straight to the front.
The $3.20 favourite Captain Bligh began out wide at barrier eight, and Gary Hall Jnr sent him forward with a three-wide burst to move to the breeze after 700m.
Hale Saint Louie was still last 900m from home before Egerton-Green sent him forward, and the gelding sustained a spirited run and was not extended in winning by one and a half lengths from Winegum, rating 1.56.7 after final quarters of 28.6sec. and 28.2sec.
“I had been working him probably a bit too soft,” admitted Egerton-Green. “So, I have stepped him up to work with better company, and he has taken it in his stride. And he showed tonight that was what he needed.
“We bought him knowing that he hung a bit, and we thought we could iron it out. But he threw in a few tricks, trying to outsmart us. Now, credit is due to everyone at home who have done some work on him and have got him feeling the best he can. Hopefully, he can keep stepping up.”
Hale Saint Louie is by Sweet Lou and is the first out of New Zealand mare Everlasting Deal, who was retired after racing twice for one placing. Hale Saint Louie raced once in New Zealand for a second placing at Invercargill in November 2022. He now has had 16 starts for eight wins, five placings and $68,241.