Ken Casellas | Photo: Hamilton Content Creators
Trainer Stephen Reed celebrated his first runner for 2023 when Dardy Boy, resuming after an eight-month absence, led all the way and held on to win the 2130m Caduceus Club Committee Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Dardy Boy was a well-supported $2.10 favourite who was driven by Shannon Suvaljko, who took the four-year-old to the front after 150m before slow opening quarters of 31.1sec. and 31.6sec., followed by final quarters of 29.2sec. and 28.5sec.
Illawong Mustang, a $4.80 chance at his first appearance for five months, trailed Dardy Boy before finishing with a spirited burst to get within a half-neck of the favourite on the line. The win gave the 39-year-old Reed his first success since Pocket the Cash was successful at Gloucester Park on July 29 last year.
Dardy Boy, a $70,000 purchase at the 2020 APG Perth yearling sale, has now raced 22 times for five wins, six placings and stakes of $34,167. He is by champion sire Bettors Delight and is the second foal out of Sabella Jane, who had ten starts for two wins, three placings and $13,109.
Isabella Jane is a half-sister to eight winners, including former star pacer David Hercules, who amassed $1,263,159 from 39 wins and 35 placings from 108 starts.