Seven-year-old Victorian-bred gelding Space Junk, who fractured his pelvis three years ago, broke through for his first win at his ninth start for his new trainer Giles Inwood when master reinsman Chris Lewis drove him to a narrow victory in the 2130m Sky Racing Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Space Junk, the $1.80 favourite from the No. 2 barrier, was beaten for the early lead by the polemarker Twentynine Twelve ($8.50), and Lewis was quite content to rate Space Junk in the breeze, and after a 28.1sec. third quarter, he sent Space Junk to the front 400m from home.
Qtown Rip Roaring, a $7.50 chance, raced three back on the pegs and was badly blocked for a clear run until the final stages, when he finished fast to fail by a head to overhaul Space Junk, who covered the final 400m in 29.1sec. and rated 1.57.9.
Space Junk won five times from his 12 starts in Victoria and now has earned $123,261 from 16 wins and nine placings from 49 starts. By American stallion Dawn Ofa New Day, Space Junk is the first foal out of Always Lacking and is a half-brother to Withoutthetuh, who finished second to Babyface Adda in the Northam Cup in March and has a record of 29 starts for ten wins, 11 placings and stakes of $76,800.
by Ken Casellas