Ken Casellas | Photo: Gloucester Park Harness Racing
Five-year-old Changeover gelding The Mustang simply had a leisurely stroll in the park when he made an auspicious West Australian debut when he scored an effortless victory in the 2130m The Nullarbor Slot Race In April ace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
The win completed a treble for reinsman Gary Hall Jnr, who had been successful earlier in the program with Vivere Damore and Finvarra. And it gave Mundijong trainer Michael Young a double, following the win of Im Themightylucy in race one.
The Mustang, favourite at $1.30, revealed sparkling gate speed from the No. 7 barrier to burst straight to the front. After a modest lead time of 37.5sec. and slow opening quarters of 32.7sec. and 31.4sec. The Mustang sprinted over the final 400m sections in 28.2sec. and 28sec. on his way to his 5m victory over the $14 third fancy The Kraken, who had trailed the leader throughout.
“The plan is for The Mustang to keep racing until the Fremantle and WAS Pacing Cups in January,” said Young. “He will have to win a few more races to prove his worth.
“He is very lazy, and he will probably win a few races in similar fashion until he gets up in class. He needs a decent horse outside of him to push him. He doesn’t concentrate until he has something to race.”
The Mustang, who was having his first start for four months, has raced 66 times for 16 wins and 27 placings for stakes of $168,1673.