Ken Casellas | Photo: Hamilton Content Creators
Callan Suvaljko played the waiting game before getting up to score a dramatic last-stride victory over the pacemaker and $2.10 favourite Golden State in the 2130m Choices Flooring Free Measure And Quote Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
“He is an underrated horse,” said Suvaljko, who has driven him five times for two wins, one second, one third and a 10TH placing.
Trainer Gary Hall snr also admires the New Zealand-bred seven-year-old’s consistency, saying: “He’s a nice horse and has been a good buy at $40,000.
Nota Bene Denario has had 20 starts in WA for Hall for six wins, ten placings and stakes of $86,840.
Golden State, attempting to end a losing streak of 18, looked likely to win after a slow lead time of 38.6sec. and modest opening quarters of 31.1sec. and 29.8sec. He sped over the final 400m sections in 27.7sec. and 27.8sec., but just failed to hold off the fast-finishing Nota Bene Denario, who had trailed the leader until Suvaljko eased him off the pegs with 230m to travel.
Nota Bene Denario mustered plenty of late speed as he powered home, out three wide, to get up in the final stride. He rated 1.57.1 and took his career record to 69 starts for 12 wins, 32 placings and $154,084.