Ken Casellas | Photo: Hamilton Content Creators
Brilliant young pacer Bettor Fortune has not been extended in winning easily at his five starts in Western Australia in the space of ten weeks, and he will warm up for a tilt at the $200,000 WA Derby in a fortnight when he begins from the outside of the back line in the $50,000 group 3 Western Gateway Pace over 2536m at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
The New Zealand-bred gelding, prepared by champion trainers Greg and Skye Bond, has scored by more than a length at all of his wins, and he is a worthy favourite for the Derby.
He faces a moment of truth this week when he will clash with several quality three-year-olds, including his up-and-coming stablemate Troubadour, the least experienced runner in the field of twelve, but with the advantage of the prized No. 1 barrier.
The Bond stable’s ace driver Deni Roberts is a fervent admirer of Bettor Fortune’s outstanding ability, and she has plenty of faith that the gelding’s class will enable him to overcome the disadvantage of starting from the back line.
However, she has a healthy respect of Troubadour, who she has driven at three of his five starts for wins at Northam and Narrogin, and a second placing from a wide draw at Gloucester Park.
“I wouldn’t swap my drive behind Bettor Fortune for any other horse,” she said. “And hopefully Troubadour can show his true colours this week, and he is a good chance from the draw.”
Troubadour will be driven by Stuart McDonald, who was also in the sulky when Troubadour impressed with his splendid third behind Bettor Fortune and Chase Me in a 2536m Derby prelude last Friday week.
Bettor Fortune began from the No. 1 barrier and was untroubled to lead all the way, while Troubadour began speedily from barrier six but was forced to work in the breeze all the way. The final two 400m sections were run in 29.2sec. and 27.3sec.
Mrs Bond was delighted in Bettor Fortune’s victory, and was also suitably impressed with Troubadour’s performance, saying: “Troubadour is getting better and better all the time, and on their work at home there is not a lot between him and Bettor Fortune.”
While much of the focus on Friday night will be on Bettor Fortune and Troubadour, the Bond camp will be looking for a strong showing from Belly Up, who will be driven by Jack Callaghan from the No. 2 barrier on the back line.
Belly Up, a winner at six of his 21 starts, showed his class with his victory in the group 1 Westbred Classic for two-year-old colts and gelding in September last year. He is capable of unwinding a powerful finishing burst.
Highly regarded New Zealand-bred gelding Chase Me, to be driven by Gary Hall Jnr for his father, leading trainer Gary Hall Snr, is handily drawn at barrier two, and he will have many admirers.
Chase Me, who has won seven times from 13 starts, had no luck last Friday night when he began from the No. 5 barrier and had a tough run outside the pacemaker When In Vegas before wilting to finish fifth behind that Bond-trained gelding.
“I thought he was the winner at the 400m, but he didn’t handle the final bend, and then got pushed wide,” said Hall Jnr.
Copper Head Lady is the only filly in Friday night’s event, with trainer-reinsman Ryan Bell saying: “She should acquit herself well from barrier three.” Copper Head Lady led from barrier two and finished third behind Fakenit and Ruby Lovera in the 2536m WA Oaks last Friday week.