Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
WA-bred four-year-old Kurious Boy has resumed after a spell in fine form, and he impressed with his stylish last-to-first victory in the$23,000 Garrard’s At Gloucester Park Westbred Pace over 2130m at headquarters on Friday night.
Part-owned and trained by Kevin Keys, Kurious Boy was the $2.60 favourite from the outside barrier (No. 9) on the front line, and reinsman Gary Hall Jnr bided his time at the rear of the field while $6 chance Money Time Madness was setting the pace after flying out from the No. 8 barrier to charge straight to the front.
Kurious Boy was last 900 metres from home before Hall urged him forward with a three-wide burst which saw him take the lead 220m from home before winning by a half-length from $4 chance Miss Uneek, who fought on valiantly after racing in the breeze over the final 1200m.
This was Kurious Boy’s second win at his second appearance after resuming from a spell. “This time in he has got a bit stronger, and he has found a bit more speed,” said Keys. “I’m not surprised that he was able to come from last to win, following the way he has been working.
“Gary said that he couldn’t believe how well Kurious Boy was travelling; and the horse did it easily. There is a similar race for four-year-olds next Friday.”
Kurious Boy is by American sire Rock N Roll World and is out of Sportswriter mare Kurious, who was trained by Keys throughout her career of 47 starts for five wins, 12 placings and $54,340. Hall drove Kurious at four of her wins in 2015 and 2016.
He was driving Kurious Boy for the first time on Friday night since he was in the sulky for two unplaced runs as a two-year-old in 2023. Kurious Boy now has earned $46,447 from four wins and five placings from 26 starts.