Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Champion trainers Greg and Skye Bond won 13 races with Double Up in 2021 and 2022 before he departed to the United States to continue his career in America.
Now they have high hopes that Double Up’s full-brother Vegas Strip will prove to be an even better pacer.
“Vegas Strip is very exciting and I was very impressed with his performance,” said Mrs Bond after the American Ideal gelding had dashed to the front after 100m, and after a slow early tempo (lead time of 39sec. and opening quarters of 32.7sec. and 31.2sec.) sprinted over the final 400m sections in 29.4sec. and 27.5sec. to win the 2130m TAB Radio Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Vegas Strip, the $1.10 favourite, gave Deni Roberts an armchair drive on his way to winning convincingly from stablemates Golden Lode ($7.50) and Prince Of Pain ($14).
Vegas Strip, unplaced at his only appearance in New Zealand, has won easily at his first two runs in WA. He led when he defeated Artful Major and Grevis over 1609m at Bunbury ten days before Friday night’s victory.
“The Golden Slipper (a $150,000 Group 1 event on September 29) is his target,” said Mrs Bond. The Bonds race Vegas Strip in partnership with the gelding’s breeders Les and Barbara Pettifer and Victorians Liz and Graham Williams.
“Vegas Strip is tough and has high speed as well,” said Mrs Bond. He is the fourth foal out of Vegas Delight, who has also produced Double Up (59 starts for 16 wins, 17 placings and $199,289) and Im Themightylucy, a winner of seven races in WA for trainer Michael Young and has a record of eight wins, four placings and stakes of $68,000 from 27 starts.