Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
A flying start from the 10-metre line in the 2503m standing start TABtouch Supports Gloucester Park Handicap at headquarters on Friday night paved the way for the New Zealand-bred gelding’s victory.
“He flew away and he almost threw me out of the back of the cart the way he got away,” said reinsman Stuart McDonald.
“Once he got away faster than (stablemate) Skylou (the $2.35 favourite) I was confident that once he got to the top, he would be hard to beat.”
Jill Mach, a $91 outsider, led for the first 550m before McDonald sent Im the Black Flash to the front. Skylou lost his chance by galloping out and then having to avoid the galloping Mega Mach.
Skylou was sixth after a lap when Gary Hall Jnr eased him off the pegs and sent him forward to eventually get to the breeze approaching the bell.
After modest opening quarters of 31.3sec. and 29.9sec. Im The Black Flash gave his rivals little chance by sprinting over the final 400m sections in 28.6sec. and 27.6sec. Skylou ran home determinedly to finish a half neck behind Im The Black Flash. Carana ($18) was slow to begin and did well to finish strongly into third place.
Im The Black Flash has earned $161,304 from ten wins and five placings from 21 starts and he will be one of the main contenders for the rich feature events for four-year-olds this year.