Ken Casellas | Photo: Pacepix
New Zealand-bred five-year-old Himself boosted his earnings to $290,096 and notched his 13TH win from 29 starts when he revealed splendid fighting qualities to stave off a spirited late challenge to beat Finvarra by a half-neck in the 2130m TAB Radio Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
The daunting news for the connections of his rivals in upcoming events is that the best is yet to come, with Skye Bond, who trains the Sportswriter gelding in partnership with her husband Greg, saying: “He is still learning and is very relaxed. He’s like a diesel and takes a bit of time to wind up.”
Himself was the $1.20 favourite from the No. 1 barrier in Friday night’s $23,750 event, and Deni Roberts was able to give him an easy time in front with a slow lead time of 38.7sec. and modest opening quarters of 31.3sec. and 29.6sec. before smart final 400m sections of 28.3sec. and 27sec.
Finvarra, the $3.40 second fancy in the field of four, raced in last position before Gary Hall Jnr eased him off the pegs with 650m to travel and dashed him forward to get his head in front 400m from home. But Himself fought back determinedly to regain the lead.
Himself is out of the McArdle mare Shards Of Myross, who managed just one win and four placings from 21 starts for earnings of $7135. He won at three of his 11 New Zealand appearances and has blossomed in WA where his 18 starts have produced ten wins and four seconds.
“He has had just three runs after resuming from a spell and will most likely run in the BOTRA Cup and Winter Cup next month before having a break and then coming back to get ready for the Fremantle and WA Pacing Cups in the summer,” said Mrs Bond.