Ken Casellas | Photo: Hamilton Content Creators
Ever since trainer-reinsman Lindsay Harper bought Bettorstartdreaming from New Zealand just over two years ago, the gelding has been a problem and has caused him many headaches.
“He is not my favourite horse; I don’t like him,” said Harper after driving him to victory in the 1730m Allwood Stud For All Your Breeding Requirements Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
“He is the dearest horse I have ever bought, he cost more than $100,000, plus extras, and he is the worst horse I have bought. His form in New Zealand against Self Assured and horses like him was good and you would have thought that he would have come over here and been in the last twelve to race in the Pacing Cup. But he doesn’t try, and that’s the problem.
“I have tried to sell him to the States (America) a couple of times, but nobody wanted him. He has perfect legs, and I think he would do a great job in America in their mile races.”
Bettorstartdreaming began from barrier four in Friday night’s race and was the fifth favourite in the field of six at $11.10 on the tote and $14 on the fixed market.
Hotfoot It, the $2.75 favourite, dashed to the front after 270m, giving a perfect trail to Blue Blazer ($4.60) and leaving Bettortstartdreaming working in the breeze. A fast opening 400m section of 28.7sec. was followed by quarters of 30.8sec., 28.9sec. and 29.4sec.
Harper bided his time before sending Bettorstartdreaming to the front 270m from home, and the seven-year-old carried too many guns for his rivals and won by a length from the $3.10 second fancy Onesmartfella, who finished solidly from fifth at the bell. The winner rated 1.56.6.
“In the short course (1730m), leading or breezing are his best options,” said Harper. “He doesn’t try a lot, so if you can get him out (fast at the start) and rolling he seems to be better. He was down in grade tonight; it was all in his favour, and he did the job.”
Bettorstartdreaming is by Bettors Delight and is the first foal out of Yankee Dream, who earned $277,214 from 15 wins and 18 placings from 56 starts. He raced 18 times in New Zealand for five wins, four placings and stakes of $72,343. His 78 starts in WA have produced ten wins, 18 placings and $114,533.