Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Prince Of Pain, the $2.60 favourite, revealed excellent fighting qualities when he defied fierce early challenges for the lead from Gully Gum ($3.10) and Rascal ($19) and went on to set a solid pace and win the 2130m Sport FM Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
The early rivalry for the lead resulted in a fast lead time of 35.7sec. and Prince Of Pain, after opening quarters of 30.4sec. and 30.1sec., impressed when he dashed over the final 400m sections in 28.8sec. and 29.5sec. to win by a length from the fast-finishing $8 chance Linebacker.
Linebacker, who raced in the one-out, one-back position before being hampered for room until getting clear on the home turn, sprinted fast in the home straight and looked a serious threat to Prince Of Pain until he broke into a gallop in the final ten metres.
Linebacker had cast his off fore shoe 50m from the post, and this undoubtedly was the reason why he broke into a gallop. The Barry Howlett-trained five-year-old will pay to follow.
Prince Of Pain, trained by Greg and Skye Bond, was driven by Deni Roberts, who admitted that she was nervous after the fast lead time. “I didn’t expect or want to do that (go so fast early). He is still learning. However, he handled it quite well.
“He kicked pretty good for me on the home corner, and he has run a good time (rating 1.56.7). I think that we would’ve still won even if Linebacker did not break.”
The New Zealand-bred Prince Of Pain is by Bettors Delight and is out of Holly Madison, a winner of five races at Alexandra Park in a 17-start career which included finishing fourth behind the brilliant Adore Me in the Group 1 Northern Oaks in March 2013. Prince Of Pain now has earned $33,342 from two wins and seven placings from 14 starts.