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Ken Casellas | Photo: Hamilton Content Creators

Bullsbrook trainer-reinsman Brad Stampalia and his father Peter admired the natural speed and ability of Zennart in his races for trainer Gary Hall snr a few years ago, and they jumped at the opportunity to purchase his close relation and unraced two-year-old from Melbourne in 2019.

The New Zealand-bred youngster named Harley Zest has proved an excellent buy for Peter Stampalia, his sons Brad and Gavin and their friend Mark Egan.

Harley Zest gave a strong frontrunning display to win the 2130m Cowden Ltd Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night when Brad Stampalia took full advantage of the No. 1 barrier with the $1.50 favourite.

Harley Zest fought on determinedly to beat the $3.30 second fancy Bettor Get It On by a metre, rating 1.56.9 to take his record to 39 starts for five wins, nine seconds, five thirds and stakes of $50,255.

“A couple of years ago Dad saw an advertisement on Trading Ring, with the breeder offering the youngster, a three-quarter brother to Zennart, for $15,000,” said Brad Stampalia.

“Dad suggested we look into it, and I rang the breeder in Melbourne. He sent me a video of the pacer in his work, and I liked the way he moved. So, we bought him.”

Now a four-year-old, Harley Zest, a gelding by Art Major, is showing some of the ability of Zennart, who has earned $173,612 from 15 wins and seven placings from 44 starts. Zennart had 29 starts in WA for ten wins and five placings before continuing his career in New South Wales.

Zennart’s half-sister Zest Philly (the dam of Harley Zest) managed only one win and $7217 from 15 starts before being retired to stud.

Harley Zest did not race as a two-year-old, and he is now showing signs of developing into a consistent performer. “I think he has a good future,” said the 48-year-old Brad Stampalia, who owns a trucking business.

Stampalia is also training Ideal Extra (five wins) and The Rock Inn (four wins) and he is looking forward to further successes with the lightly-raced half-brothers who are out of the New South Wales-bred mare Spare Me, who was an excellent performer for the trainer-driver, earning $100,051 from ten wins and ten placings from 56 starts. Spare Me’s notable successes were in the Consolation of the WA Oaks in May 2008 and the $35,000 group 3 Mares Mile in December 2008.