Ken Casellas | Photo: Pacepix
Veteran trainer Kevin Keys and star reinsman Shannon Suvaljko took full advantage of the coveted No. 1 barrier land a double in the opening events at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
“I haven’t got a clue when I had my previous double,” said Keys after Suvaljko had scored all-the-way wins with Hoppys Way, the $1.60 favourite in the 2130m Garrard’s Horse And Hound Pace, and Blitzembye ($1.40) in the 2130m www.Horseandhound.com.au Pace.
Neither pacer was seriously challenged, with the New Zealand-bred four-year-old Hoppys Way dictating terms and sprinting the final 800m in 56.9sec. to beat $17 chance High Price by a half-length, rating 1.57.2.
Thirty minutes later Suvaljko employed the identical tactics with the five-year-old New Zealand-bred Blitzembye dashing over the final 800m in 56.3sec. and winning by just over a length from $11 chance Moonlite Drive, who finished fast from sixth and last at the 100m. Last-start winner Kimble ($5) was third after trailing the pacemaker all the way and being blocked for a clear run in the closing stages.
“Both horses have been running nice races, and drawing one makes a big difference,” said Keys. “There are no big plans for Hoppys Way and Blitzembye, and I’m looking forward to Water Lou and Lion Queen resuming racing in the near future.”
Water Lou and Lion Queen are two of the State’s best two-year-old fillies and are raced by Jim and Wilma Giumelli, who also own Hoppys Way and Blitzembye. Water Lou is unbeaten at her five starts, and Lion Queen has had three starts for two wins and third placing.
Hoppys Way, who ended a losing sequence of eight on Friday night, has raced 32 times for nine wins, six placings and $123,384, and Blitzembye has earned $153,073 from 15 wins and nine placings from 43 starts.