Ken Casellas | Photo: Hamilton Content Creators
Six-year-old Middlepage has been a problem pacer for trainer-reinsman Lindsay Harper for much of his career when he began badly, raced roughly and broke in running on many occasions.
But he was on his best behaviour at Gloucester Park on Friday night when he began smoothly from the No. 1 barrier and was untroubled to set the pace and score an easy win in the 2536m Garrard’s Service With Integrity Pace.
He was the $2.90 second favourite, and his ability to dash over the final 800m in 56.7sec. enabled him to win by almost two lengths from $10 chance Gran Chico, who finished solidly after trailing the pacemaker all the way. Carrera Mach ($26) raced three back on the pegs and finished third, ahead of Roll Up ($4.60) and Kimble ($2.70 favourite), both of whom finished gamely after racing three wide in the final lap.
Middlepage now has earned $110,162 from 13 wins and 19 placings from 68 starts, with Harper saying: “He’s a lovely, honest horse, who has done a good job. He had issues in the past, but I seem to be on top of him this time in.
“He had some feet issues, and we’ve had vets looking at him without finding the problem. I think he is just maturing and is getting better with age.
“When he was younger, he could lead from nine. But lately I’ve been taking him back (at the start). However, when he drew one for tonight’s race, I let him come out, and he came out quite good.”