Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Experienced six-year-old Illawong Mustang had won only three races from 67 starts in Western Australia, and he had been unplaced at his previous ten starts before he lined up at the No. 1 barrier in the 2130m Hello 2024 Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
But his trainer Dylan Egerton-Green had never lost faith in the Victorian-bred gelding, who was the $2 favourite being driven for the first time by champion reinsman Gary Hall Jnr.
Hall gave punters no cause for concern by dashing Illawong Mustang straight to the front, and after a slow lead time (38.5sec.) and opening quarter (31.4sec.) the gelding won easily by a length from $17 chance The Kraken, with final sections of 27.9sec. and 28.6sec.
Illawong Mustang has now earned $114,072 from 11 wins and 21 placings from 93 starts. “He has been racing well and without much luck,” said Egerton-Green. “He is nice and easy to train, and he’s honest and a good earner.”
It was a rare occurrence with Illawong Mustang setting the pace. Only twice at his previous 67 starts in WA had he led — when he faded to eighth behind Harley Zest over 2536m at Gloucester Park on June 29, 2021, and when he began from barrier one and held on to win by a half neck from High Price on May 26, 2023.
Illawong Mustang is by Mach Three and is the first foal out of the New South Wales-bred Artiscape mare Light In Every Day, who had 72 starts for 11 wins, 32 placings and $129,255. Illawong Mustang raced 25 times in Victoria for seven wins and five placings.
Caliente, the $2.30 second favourite on Friday night, had a tough run in the breeze before wilting to finish fourth.