Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
A brilliant beginning from out wide at barrier six paved the way for Steno’s easy win in the 2536m Retravision Golden Nugget Consolation at Gloucester Park on Friday night, and trainer-driver Jocelyn Young is hoping she can repeat the dose when she contests the $50,000 Christmas Belles over 2130m next Friday night.
Steno, a $17 chance, ran her opening quarters of the final mile in 30.9sec. and 30.1sec. before giving her rivals little chance by sprinting over the final 400m sections in 28.7sec. and 26.7sec. to win at a 1.58.3 rate, beating the $1.65 favourite Arma Xfactor by three lengths.
Arma Xfactor, from the No. 1 barrier, was beaten for early speed by Steno, and she then trailed the pacemaker all the way. She got clear on the home turn and fought on gamely.
“Gate speed is Steno’s biggest asset,” said Young. “I thought we could beat out Arma Xfactor (barrier one), but I wasn’t sure if we could beat out Mister Montblanc (barrier three). I thought Mister Montblanc could cause us a bit of grief. But there was no grief.
“I was trying to get away with as slow a lead time as I could, and after Steno fought me a bit she just bowled along.”
The New South Wales-bred Steno, a winner of one race in Victoria and nine in New South Wales, has had 13 starts in WA for four wins and two seconds, taking her overall record to 34 starts for 14 wins, ten placings and stakes of $255,378.