Victorian-bred pacer Heavens Showgirl gave further proof that she will develop into one of Western Australia’s best mares when she charged home from seventh with 550m to travel to burst to the front 330m later on her way to an impressive victory over Blissfullabbey in the 2130m Channel 7 Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
This was the five-year-old’s fourth win from five WA starts and improved her record to 28 starts for ten wins, ten placings and stakes of $73,547.
Trained by Nathan Turvey, Heavens Showgirl was the second favourite at $3.30. Emily Suvaljko urged her forward from the No. 5 barrier and she raced without cover early before gaining the ideal sit, one-out and one-back, after $91 outsider Talkerup dashed forward to race in the breeze outside the pacemaker and $2.75 favourite Suing You.
Heavens Showgirl was hampered and lost about a length in the back straight when Talkerup began to weaken and drop back. However, Suvaljko did not panic and, after the third quarter of the final mile whizzed by in 27.8sec., Heavens Showgirl sprinted home smartly with a final 400m in 28.4sec. and she rated 1.55.3.
by Ken Casellas