Ken Casellas | Photo: Hamilton Content Creators
New Zealand-bred colt Lusaka is developing into a leading contender for the $200,000 WA Derby on November 3, following his impressive victory in the 2130m The Trots WA Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
The Sweet Lou pacer, prepared by leading trainers Greg and Skye Bond, is unbeaten at five appearances as a three-year-old and his easy win over Franco Mecca and Star Lavra took his record to nine starts for seven wins, one third and stakes of $58,070.
Lusaka was the $1.30 favourite from the No. 1 barrier on Friday night, and Deni Roberts had an armchair drive in guiding him to an all-the-way one and a half length win at a 1.58.5 rate after sprinting over the final 400m sections in 27.5sec. and 27.6sec.
“It was nice to see him run a 55.1sec. final half,” said Roberts, who completed a treble on the night after wins earlier in the program with Dont Bother Me None and Jett Star. The three winners were prepared by the Bond camp.
“Lusaka has really filled out and developed. He was a bit lanky and a bit green as a two-year-old. He has come back right in the zone, and the stable has a few horses heading for the Derby — Lusaka, Fess Up, Cotton On and a couple of others at home.
Fess Up, a colt by Bettors Delight, has won five races, and Cotton On, a gelding by Vincent, is unbeaten in five WA runs.
Lusaka, who finished third behind Never Ending and Skylord in the Golden Slipper last September, won at his only New Zealand appearance when he beat Rakero Raider by three lengths over 1980m at Addington last July.
His half-brother Kenya ended a losing sequence of 21 when he won over 2200m at Launceston last Friday week. That took his record to 94 starts for ten wins, 25 placings and stakes of $85,689.