Six-year-old Rakasinc enjoyed a drop in class when he gave yet another exhibition of his toughness to score a splendid victory in the 2536m Go One Better With Westral Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
“He just likes to run and he’s got a good engine,” declared trainer Nathan Turvey after Emily Suvaljko guided the New Zealand-bred gelding to a win by just under a length from Henwood Bay, rating a smart 1.55.2. The consistent Vespa ran on solidly from tenth and last at the bell to finish third.
Rakasinc, favourite at $1.40, started from barrier five and raced wide early before forging past Bee Seventeen and into the lead after 600m. He then dashed over the final four quarters in 29.2sec., 29.1sec., 28.9sec. and 28.4sec.
Turvey said that there was no point in restraining Racasinc, who was at his best when allowed to set a brisk pace. The victory ended a losing sequence of six and improved his record to 67 starts for 15 wins, 18 placings and $130,080 in prizemoney.
Rakasinc, the eighth and last foal out of Son Of Afella mare Rakarach, lacks the brilliance of his retired half-brother Rakarebel, a winner of 15 races in Western Australia for trainer Gary Hall snr, including eight victories at each of his first eight appearances in the State in 2011. Rakarebel raced 177 times for 25 wins, 50 placings and $349,607.
by Ken Casellas