Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Insta Gator, described by his trainer-driver Jocelyn Young as a big, lean and gangly horse, has resumed racing after a spell in splendid form, with three wins and a head second placing from five starts.
He was the $2.20 favourite in the 2130m Sky Racing Active Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night when he excelled in the role of pacemaker and scored a runaway victory, rating a very smart 1.54.5.
Insta Gator began from the No. 4 barrier and settled down in third place before Young sent him to the front after a solid lead time of 36sec.
After an opening quarter of a slow 31.1sec. Insta Gator dashed over the final three 400m sections in 28.7sec., 27.9sec. and another 27.9sec. to beat the $2.90 second fancy The Beaudster by more than four lengths after that pacer had worked hard without cover for much of the race.
“I have upped his work a bit,” said Young when giving a reason for his excellent form.
Insta Gator, purchased for $45,000 at the 2021 APG Perth yearling sale, has earned $75,788 from eight wins and 11 placings from 27 starts. This was his first metro-class win, and there are surely many more to follow.
He is by American sire Huntsville and is out of Art Major mare Topless Beach Girl (21 starts for one win, ten placings and $21,810), who is also the dam of smart performer The Miki Taker, who has raced 54 times for 15 wins, 23 placings and $297,179.