Ken Casellas | Photo: Gloucester Park Harness Racing
“How impressive was he? He’s very good and his gate speed is phenomenal,” said delighted trainer Michael Young after The Mustang had revealed sparkling speed to charge straight to the front from barrier four in the 2536m Harness The Dream Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
The Mustang, the $1.50 favourite, driven by Gary Hall Jnr, relaxed with opening quarters of 31.3sec. and 31.1sec. before giving his rivals little chance by speeding over each of the final two 400m sections in 27.8sec. to coast to a three-length victory over the $2.90 second favourite Stamford, who battled on gamely after leading the chase all the way behind The Mustang.
“I think the track tonight is relatively slow and to run those fast final quarters was most impressive,” said Young. I couldn’t be more impressed with him.
“Stamford is no slouch out of the gate, and The Mustang crossed him before the winning post. That gate speed is going to take him a long way. He is still on a pretty low mark, and we’ve got to keep punching our way to earn our spot in the Fremantle Cup and WA Pacing Cup.”
The Mustang now has started twice in Western Australia for two effortless victories that have improved his record to 67 starts for 17 wins, 27 placings and stakes of $179,981. He is by former star New Zealand pacer Changeover, who raced 66 times for 29 wins, 16 placings and $2,321,676. The Mustang’s dam Afalcons Dash contested 37 minor events on Victorian tracks for six wins, ten placings and $23,013.