Ken Casellas | Photo: Hamilton Content Creators
Veteran pacer Disco Under Fire is thoroughly enjoying his eighth season of racing, and he notched his 17TH win at his 183RD start when he finished full of running to win the 2536m Garrard’s Online www.horseandhound.com.au Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
The ten-year-old gelding, prepared by Serpentine trainer Giles Inwood, was a $9.70 chance and his win completed a double for reinsman Chris Voak, who had been successful earlier in the program with Miss Boudica.
Voak restrained Disco Under Fire from barrier four and the gelding raced in fifth place, three back on the pegs, before Voak eased him into the clear 470m from home. He dashed past the pacemaker Stormyskyes in the home straight and went on to win by two and a half lengths from Rock Me Over ($6), with Stormyskyes ($3.80) a nose away in third place.
This took Disco Under Fire’s record to 183 starts for 17 wins, 54 placings and stakes of $194,232. It was his sixth metropolitan-class win. He was bought by Inwood for $4000 in February 2020, and since then he has had 99 starts for nine wins, 19 placings and $125,694.
“Tonight, they went hard and set it up for us,” said Voak. “He looked an absolute picture and felt terrific.”
Five-year-old Rascal, the $2.35 favourite from barrier two, disappointed in finishing last in the field of seven. He was the smartest into stride and led by a half-length early but was unable to cross the polemarker Stormyskyes. He did not appear comfortable at any stage as he persisted in hanging inwards.