Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Coolup trainer Michael Brennan predicted a bright future for Musztang after Chris Voak had driven the experienced six-year-old Art Major gelding to an impressive victory in the 2130m Hoist Torque Australia Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
“He is a very exciting prospect, a lovely animal with incredible lung capacity,” enthused Brennan.
“Voak said that Musztang would be much better suited in stronger company when the races are more genuine. The horse has good gate speed and can do work.”
Musztang, a handsome Victorian-bred gelding, who is raced by Brennan and Sydney businessman Josh Tinning, was having only his second start in WA and his second run for his new owners. He is the sixth foal out of Mesmerizing, a mare by champion pacer Our Sir Vancelot who raced 94 times for 19 wins, 26 placings and $179,221.
He has the potential to follow in the footsteps of Mesmerizing’s first foal Messini, who earned $711,711 from 26 wins and 28 placings from his 97 starts. One of Messini’s most important victories was in the Group 1 Vicbred Super Sires Series final for three-year-old colts and geldings at Melton in July 2014.
Musztang was a $14.40 chance from barrier two on the back line on Friday night and Voak settled him down in eighth position in the one-wide line, with $10 chance Peligroso setting the pace, with Major Freeway $20) in the breeze, Lamandier ($3.10) trailing the pacemaker, and newcomer My Ultimate Baxter (the $2.45 favourite) enjoying a perfect sit, one-out and one-back.
Musztang was still in eighth place 250m from home before Voak sent him forward, out wide, to get up in the final couple of strides to win by a neck from Lamandier, who had taken the lead at the 50m mark. Major Freeway, who got to the front on the home turn, was third, with My Ultimate Baxter fading to finish ninth.
“It was a peach of a drive by Voak,” said Brennan. “The horse hangs a little bit, though he didn’t hang in as badly as he did at his first run here. He came to us in great condition, and he is potentially a really nice horse.”