Ken Casellas | Photo: Pacepix
New Zealand-bred six-year-old Master Yossi notched his first metropolitan-class win in WA when he caused an upset in beating his talented four-year-old stablemate Street Hawk in the 1730m Steelo’s Restaurant Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Master Yossi, handled for the first time by Gary Hall Jnr for leading trainers Greg and Skye Bond, was a $6.80 chance from the coveted No. 1 barrier, with Street Hawk the hot $1.40 favourite from barrier No. 2.
Master Yossi won the start and Hall was anxious to take the sit behind Street Hawk when Deni Roberts issued a spirited challenge and Street Hawk got three-quarters of a length in front 400m after the start. But Master Yossi took charge and refused to settle, thus leaving Roberts with little alternative but to desist with the challenge.
Street Hawk then raced in the breeze while Master Yossi set a brisk pace. He then held Street Hawk at bay and beat his stablemate by a length, rating a slick 1.54.4.
“Street Hawk is a better horse than Master Yossi, but I couldn’t get past Master Yossi, who was getting on to a wheel and firing up,” said Roberts. “So, I had to go back. Both horses went super.”
Master Yossi, who is by Bettors Delight, has earned $100,086 from 12 wins, eight seconds and three thirds from 39 starts. He won at three of his 14 starts in New Zealand, and his 25 starts in WA have produced nine wins and six placings.