Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Champion reinsman Gary Hall Jnr was planning to give smart pacer Skylou the task of working the breeze in the 2503m Westral Window Blinds Handicap at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
“I was expecting to have to sit in the breeze outside of Dourado, but when he broke into a gallop moments after the start, I was happy to change my tactics and was able to send Skylou to the front after about 350m after the start,” said Hall.
Skylou, the $1.60 favourite who began off the 10m mark, was able to coast through the opening quarters of the final mile in 31.1sec. and 30.5sec. before sprinting over the final 400m sections in 28.6sec. and 27.5sec. and win by a half-length from $9 chance Carana, who started off the 20m mark and finished strongly from fifth at the bell. Brickies Dream ($7.50) was a fighting third after working in the breeze for most of the way.
“I was glad that Skylou didn’t have to race in the breeze, and Dourado galloping certainly helped us to win the race,” said Hall. “Otherwise, it could have been more difficult considering the way Carana and Brickies Dream went.
“Skylou is pretty lazy in front but once he led tonight, he was a certainty. He is going for a break now before coming back to get ready for the feature events for four-year-olds later in the year. He has grown a bit, and he should keep getting better.”
Skylou, trained by Gary Hall Snr and the winner of the WA Derby lasty November, has earned $203,406 from eight wins and three placings from 14 starts.