Ken Casellas | Photo: Hamilton Content Creators
New Zealand-bred four-year-old Our Shelley Beach, generally recognised as a frontrunner, produced a sample of his versatility when he sprinted home strongly to score an impressive win in the 2130m Jnr Vice President Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Astute trainer Mike Reed attributed the three-length victory over Marquisard to a change of the Sweet Lou gelding’s training routine, saying: “This week I didn’t hopple him. I just galloped him at home, and that might have done the trick. I jogged him on the sand and also put him in the cart and galloped him on the sand track.”
Our Shelley Beach, who led before wilting to finish third behind Master Publisher and Ima Rockabilly Rebel two starts before Friday night’s race, was a $6.10 chance from the No. 4 barrier. Shannon Suvaljko did not bustle him early and was happy to position him in sixth place, one-out and two-back while the $1.55 favourite Lamandier was setting the pace.
After a slow lead time of 38.8sec. and opening quarters of 31sec. and 30sec. Lamandier sprinted the third 400m section in 28.9sec. Suvaljko switched Our Shelley Beach out four wide with 300m to travel. He burst to the front at the 90m mark and charged away to win in effortless style.
Our Shelley Beach, who ended a losing sequence of seven, has raced 47 times for eight wins, 13 placings and stakes of $57,839.