Ken Casellas | Photo: Hamilton Content Creators
Experienced New Zealand-bred six-year-old Markham Eyre caused an upset when he was a $26.70 outsider and charged home, out wide, from eighth at the 350m to snatch a last-stride victory by a head from $4 favourite Finvarra in the $30,000 group 3 Telethon The Kersley Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
The gelding, prepared by leading trainers Greg and Skye Bond, gave Deni Roberts her fourth feature race success, following wins with the Bond-trained pacers J. B. Mauney in the group 3 Don Randall Memorial at Pinjarra in November 2020, See Ya Write in the group 3 Higgins Memorial in July 2021 and Socrates in the group 2 San Simeon Classic in August this year.
Markham Eyre, a last-start winner, began from barrier six and was suited by the fast early pace, with a brisk lead time of 35.1sec., and Roberts was content to keep the gelding at the rear on the pegs, with Talks Up A Storm setting a solid pace.
Finvarra, reappearing after a spell, settled at the rear before Gary Hall Jnr sent him forward to move into the breeze 1200m from home. Finvarra then forged to the front with 380m to travel and was overhauled in the final stride.
Markham Eyre rated 1.57.5 over the 2130m and took his WA record to 19 starts for six wins and five placings to improve his career record to 68 starts for 11 wins 12 placings and $108,038 in stakes.
He is by American sire Sportswriter and is the fifth foal out of South Eyre, who managed just one win and eight placings for $19,836 from 39 starts.
“Once the early (fast) tempo was set I felt we could win,” said Roberts. “He loves that, and he keeps going at the same bat on the rails and following that speed. Everything fell into place, and he got off at the right time.”