Ken Casellas | Photo: Hamilton Content Creators
Expert shoeing by Donald Harper and Craig Hynam has played a significant role in the recent splendid form of WA-bred five-year-old Showpony, who completed a hat-trick of wins when he led and scored an easy victory in the 1730m Catalano Truck And Equipment Sales Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Pinjarra trainer David Young said that Showpony had been troubled by getting down on his hind bumpers.
“Full credit to Donny Harper and Craig Hynam who have been shoeing him, and they have done a good job in getting him off his bumpers,” said Young. “And this has got the horse’s confidence back. He has overcome his problems of getting down on his hind bumpers, and is now not touching them.
“And while he is happy, we will keep going, and he will race again next Friday. I was surprised that he flew out of the gate tonight because I wasn’t particularly confident that he would win the start.”
Indeed, Showpony, the $1.60 favourite, driven by Stuart McDonald, easily won the start from barrier two, and after a lead time of 7.4sec. sped over the opening 400m in 28.5sec. before a moderate second quarter of 30.5sec. was followed by final sections of 28.3sec. and 28sec. which gave his rivals little chance of challenging him.
Showpony now has raced 23 times for nine wins, eight placings and stakes of $65,197.