Ken Casellas | Photo: Hamilton Content Creators
Veteran pacer Tuas Delight has recovered from a damaged tendon which kept him on the sidelines for ten months, and the nine-year-old raced with a spring in his step to score an effortless victory in the 2130m Aaron Bain Racing And Summit Bloodstock Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Tuas Delight, purchased for $5000 by Amanda Suvaljko 22 months ago, is proving a bargain, having earned $43,190 from four wins and six placings from 36 starts for trainer-reinsman Callan Suvaljko.
Tuas Delight, making his sixth appearance in his comeback, was a $7.90 chance from the No. 1 barrier, and Suvaljko took full advantage of the prized draw by driving him to an all-the-way win, beating the breeze horse and $18 chance Medieval Man by more than five lengths.
After a slow lead time of 38.3sec. and modest opening quarters of 32.2sec. and 30.5sec., Tuas Delight revealed rare sprinting ability to dash over the final 400m sections in 28.4sec. and 28sec.
“He is coming good with age,” said Suvaljko. “He’s finally worked out how to sprint.
“He has done a good job, and every time he drops down a grade he performs well. At the end of his previous campaign last year he damaged his nearside tendon, and so did Extreme Prince, leaving both their careers in doubt.
“Extreme Prince has not recovered and has been retired.” He was also bought for $5000 by Mrs Suvaljkjo, and he earned $41,755 from three wins and ten placings from 35 starts for the Suvaljko family.
Tuas Delight has been a wonderful old campaigner, who now has had 140 starts for 14 wins, 26 placings and $157,809 in stakes.
“Touch wood, Tuas Delight’s leg has been perfect,” said Suvaljko. “If he pulls up well, he will run in a 2536m race at Gloucester Park on Tuesday when it will be tough from barrier eight.”