Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Lightly-raced colt Lusaka reappeared after an absence of almost four months when Deni Roberts drove him to an easy all-the-way win in the 1730m Boookings@Allwoodstud.com.au Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Produced in splendid condition by champion trainers Greg and Skye Bond, Lusaka was the $1.20 favourite from barrier No. 1, and he was not extended in beating the $8 second fancy Cheer The Major by a length, rating 1.57.4 after final quarters of 28.8sec. and 27.9sec.
“Obviously we’re heading towards the Derby with him,” said Greg Bond. “He is working good at home, and tonight he had a good run in front. He did it pretty comfortably which was to be expected.
“Hopefully, he will tighten up a little bit and we’ll have him firing come Derby time. He is right up there with our other Derby hopes, Fess Up and Cotton On.”
Lusaka, a winner at his only New Zealand start, at Addington in July 2022, has impressed in WA where his 11 starts have resulted in eight wins and two placings. He gave a sample of his class 12 months ago when he finished third behind Never Ending and Skylord in the Golden Slipper.
Lusaka is by American sire Sweet Lou and is the fourth foal out of Bettors Delight mare Batini, who is a half-sister to Hasani, who raced 22 times for the Bond stable for eight wins and eight placings.
“Our three Derby hopes will not disgrace themselves, but I think that we will all be chasing Never Ending,” said Bond.
The $200,000 WA Derby will be run over 2536m on November 3.