Ken Casellas | Photo: Hamilton Content Creators
Baskerville trainer Ryan Bell has The Code Breaker racing enthusiastically, and the American Ideal five-year-old maintained his excellent form with an all-the-way victory in the 2130m Sport FM 91.3 Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
However, it was not an effortless win for the $1.30 favourite who fought on grimly to score by a head from $14 chance Fanci A Dance, who enjoyed an ideal passage in the one-out, one-back position before sprinting home with a powerful burst.
“He led easily (from the No. 1 barrier),” said young reinsman Kyle Symington. “I was prepared for an early challenge from Athabascan, and with Glenledi Chief coming out, too, it helped a bit, even though I thought The Code Breaker had the speed to lead, no matter what.
Glenledi Chief denied Athabascan the breeze position, leaving Chris Lewis no alternative but to restrain the veteran $61 outsider back to the rear.
The Code Breaker coasted through the opening quarters in 32.8sec. and 30.2sec. before dashing over the final 400m sections in 28.7sec. and 28.2sec.
“I think I went a bit too slow early,” confessed a relieved Symington. “I think The Code Breaker would have preferred it rolling along a bit more.”
The Cope Breaker has won at three of his past six starts and has a career record of 55 starts for 13 wins, 18 placings and stakes of $108,516. He is the ninth foal out of the unraced mare Alldatglittersisgold, who has produced top-flight pacers Baby Bling (55 starts for 21 wins, ten placings and $854,490), Bling It On (100 starts for 49 wins, 24 placings and $1,882,957) and Bletchley Park (74 starts for 20 wins, 24 placings and $417,028).