Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Pinjarra trainer-driver Madeliene Young has the well-bred colt Insta Gator fit and firing and ready to run a big race when he starts from the No. 3 barrier in the Cowden Serving Since 1972 Western Gateway Consolation at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Insta Gator revealed excellent fighting qualities when he failed in a bid for the early lead and then worked hard in the breeze before getting to the front 250m from home and winning by a neck from the favourite and highly-regarded Star Lavra in the 2190m North-Eastern Districts Derby at Northam on Tuesday night.
Star Lavra, a $130,000 yearling who had won at Gloucester Park earlier in the year, beating quality three-year-olds Fess Up and Im The Black Flash, had every chance of winning after racing in fifth position, one-out and two-back, before moving forward with a three-wide burst approaching the bell.
Insta Gator fought on tigerishly to beat Star Lavra by a neck, with final quarters of 28.6sec. and 29sec. He is bred to be a good winner, being a half-brother to Strike Team (35 starts for ten wins, ten placings and $82,238) and The Miki Taker (26 starts for nine wins, ten placings and $157,978).
Strike Team finished second to Lavra Joe in the Country Derby at Bunbury in April 2021, and The Miki Taker won the Pearl Classic for two-year-olds in June 2021.
In an even field on Friday night, Insta Gator’s main rivals could be Callmewhatuwant, Rock Artist and Runningonempty.
Chris Lewis will drive the Brad Lynn-trained Callmewhatuwant from the No. 2 barrier. He was most impressive against older and more experienced rivals in a 1730m event at Gloucester Park last Friday week. He was seventh at the bell and was switched three wide 250m from home when he sprinted fast to take a narrow lead 15 metres from the post when beaten a half-head by the fast-finishing five-year-old Getn Wiggy Withit, who rated a smart 1.54.2.
Rock Artist, trained and driven by Chris Voak, will have many admirers when he begins from barrier No. 1 in the 2536m event. Rock Artist, who has had 13 starts for four wins and six second placings, led early and then trailed the pacemaker before being hampered for room until later when fourth behind Ronald Scott over 2185m at Pinjarra on Monday of last week.
Runningonempty, trained by Aiden De Campo and to be driven by Trent Wheeler, is awkwardly drawn at barrier six. He led from barrier two when an easy Gloucester Park winner two starts ago, and then battled on gamely when second to Never Ending in the four-horse South-West Derby at Bunbury on Wednesday of last week.