Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
New Zealand-bred six-year-old enhanced his prospects of gaining a start in the $450,000 WA Pacing Cup on November 10 when he proved too good for his seven rivals in the $31,000 Seniors Golden Jacket Free-For-All at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
He was the $1.30 favourite from the prized No. 1 barrier and Gary Hall Jnr was able to give him an easy time in front with a dawdling lead time of 39.8sec. and a slow opening quarter of 31.7sec. before he increased the tempo with 400m sections of 30.3sec., 28.2sec. and 27.3sec.
Prince Of Pleasure was not seriously challenged when he won by a length from his stablemate and $6.50 chance Jumpingjackmac, who was given a perfect trip in the one-out, one-back position by Stuart McDonald.
“He is not a role player for the Pacing Cup, but he is good enough to be in there,” said Hall Jnr. “If his name ever went on the honour roll for a big one, without watching the race, you would know that he had won as a sniper.
“But he is quick out and is actually very good in front. And when he is in front, he grows a leg.”
Prince Of Pleasure, prepared by Gary Hall Snr, is by Bettors Delight and is the second foal out of the Christian Cullen mare Holly Madison, who won at five of her 17 starts for earnings of $42,881. He won once from eight New Zealand starts, and his 26 WA starts have produced 13 wins and seven placings to take his career record to 34 starts for 14 wins, eight placings and $197,630.