Ken Casellas | Photo: Hamilton Content Creators
New Zealand-bred six-year-old Hit The Sky maintained his wonderful form in standing-start events when Aldo Cortopassi drove skilfully to land him a narrow winner in the 2503m Rock N Roll World No. 1 Stallion Family In The World Handicap at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
After his first two starts in Western Australia were in mobile events for a third at Northam and a win at Gloucester Park, Darling Downs trainer Amber Sparks and her partner Cortopassi have restricted him to stands, with his past 15 starts all being in stands for three wins, three seconds, three thirds, four fourths and two fifths.
He was a $5.60 chance from barrier four on the front line, and he raced in fifth position, three back on then pegs, with $15 chance Gee Smith setting a brisk pace and the $2.35 favourite Double Up in the breeze
Cortopassi eased Hit The Sky off the pegs 400m from home, but he was still badly hampered for room until Cortopassi was able to switch him four wide on the home turn. He then finished strongly to beat Gee Smith by a head, with Triroyale Brigade ($61) fighting on to finish third. Double Up wilted to sixth, and the $3.30 second fancy Typhoon Banner finished tenth after galloping at the start and racing at the rear.
Hit The Sky now has earned $98,266 from nine wins and 27 placings from 70 starts.