Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Stuart McDonald lavished praise on Im Stealthy after driving the New Zealand-bred gelding to a brilliant victory in the 2130m Slot Interest Due Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
After Im Stealthy, a $5.20 chance, had won easily from the pacemaker Havtimeformiki ($3.70) and the $2.30 favourite D Mac, McDonald said that the general consensus was that D Mac was the best three-year-old in the State.
“But I have always said that Im Stealthy is better than D Mac, and though other people might be surprised I have never changed my opinion,” said an upbeat McDonald.
“I think that Im Stealthy proved tonight that he is the better horse. He is more tractable than D Mac, and he has got it all. And even though he still just doesn’t know what he is doing he is a superstar, and when he matures and starts to show his authority he will prove to everyone that he is the best.”
D Mac began speedily from the No. 5 barrier but was unable to cross to the front from Havtimeformiki, who kicked up strongly after starting from barrier four.
This battle resulted in a scorching lead time of 33.8sec., and Gary Hall Jnr was able to restrain D Mac to take the sit behind Havetimeformiki, and when the pace slackened and the first 400m section went by in a slow 32.3sec. McDonald took Im Stealthy off the pegs in fifth position in the Indian file affair to go to the breeze.
After a modest second quarter of 31sec. Deni Roberts increased the tempo, and the third quarter went by in 28.3sec., with Im Stealthy getting to the front with 450m to travel before the final 400m was run in a fast 26.9sec.
Havtimeformiki did well to finish second, almost two lengths behind Im Stealthy, with D Mac fighting on to finish third, well ahead of $126 outsider Devil In Disguise.
Im Stealthy rated 1.55.1 and took his record to nine starts for six wins and one third placing for earnings of $59,004. He is sure to develop further and become a leading candidate for the $200,00 WA Derby on October 30.
Im Stealthy, prepared by master trainer Gary Hall Snr, is a gelding by Downbytheseaside, and is the seventh foal out of unraced Jeremes Jet mare Bay Jet, whose first foal was Wildwest, who was retired two years ago after earning $619,218 from 17 wins and 14 placings from 66 starts.
Wildwest raced once in New Zealand for a 12-lenghth victory as a three-year-old at the Central Southland Raceway in Winton in May 2019. He then won at his first seven starts in WA that year, and the highlight of his career was his last-stride victory as a $91 outsider in the WA Pacing Cup in February 2022 when he beat Miracle Moose by a short half-head, with Chicago Bull third, Magnificent Storm fourth and Minstrel fifth.