Ken Casellas | Photo: Hamilton Content Creators
Leviathan owner Jim Giumelli outlaid $230,000 to purchase Holy Moley at the 2023 New Zealand national standardbred yearling sale, and all eyes will be on that pacer, now a four-year-old, when he makes his debut from the coveted No. 1 barrier in the $21,000 2025 Leading Trainer, Team Bond Pace over 2130m at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Surprisingly, astute Henley Brook trainer Mike Reed declares that Holy Moley’s five-year-old stablemate Money Boss is the stable’s elect in this event in which the WA-bred gelding will begin from the No. 2 barrier.
It is most significant that ace reinsman Shannon Suvaljko will handle Money Boss, with the drive on Holy Moley going to his daughter Emily.
Holy Moley and Money Boss are raced by Giumelli’s Swandoo Harness Racing syndicate. Giumelli bought Money Boss for $70,000 at the 2022 Perth APG yearling sale, and the Captaintreacherous gelding made a successful return to racing when Suvaljko drove him to victory over Lets Rattlnroll in a 1730m event at Gloucester Park on Tuesday afternoon.
This was only the second appearance by Money Boss, who finished strongly from ninth at the bell when fourth behind Rockin Le Monde over 1684m at Pinjarra on June 10, 2024.
Money Boss is the sixth foal out of the Rich And Spoilt mare Here For The Money, who has produced star performers Shockwave and Double Expresso after a successful career on the track, with her 79 starts producing seven wins, 18 placings and $81,874.
Shockwave, winner of the group 1 Golden Nugget in December 2019, was retired after earning $567,002 from 22 wins and 17 placings from 50 starts, while Double Expresso raced 32 times for 13 wins, eight placings and $328,034. Her victories included two at group 1 level, two at group 2 and one at group 3.
In Tuesday’s event Money Boss raced roughly out three wide in the early stages and received a cut to the inside of his rear hind leg when he lost a couple of lengths when being eased off the inside soon after the start.
Money Boss then settled in sixth position before Suvaljko switched him three wide at the 1200m. He dashed to the front 150m later and went on to win by a length, rating 1.58.1 over 1730m.
“On ability, I expect Money Boss to perform better than Holy Moley,” said Reed. “He should come out humming and should lead.”
Money Boss and Holy Moley are quite inexperienced, and they will clash with several older and vastly more experienced rivals. Perhaps one of their main opponents will be the lightly-raced seven-year-old Blameitonthenight, who will start from the outside of the back line and will be driven by Stuart McDonald for trainer Michael George.