Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Mardella trainer Michael Young lauded experienced pacer Heavenly Gipsy after the seven-year-old had crushed her rivals in the $25,000 Allwood Stud 40 Years Of Industry Service Pace over 2130m at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
The former Victorian performer has impressed with her first five starts in WA in the space of 35 days producing three wins and a second placing for stakes of $54,568, a splendid return after Young and five stable clients had outlaid $30,000 to purchase her a couple months ago.
“She has been a good buy after Matt Leppard, one of my owners and a harness racing enthusiast in Victoria, liked her and said she was worth a go,” said Young.
“Heavenly Gipsy is now giving the stable an excellent two-pronged attack, along with Penny Black, in the rich feature events for mares later in the year.”
Heavenly Gipsy won at her first two starts in WA before she sped to the front from the outside barrier and set the pace before finishing a half-head second to Penny Black in a $50,000 Group 3 event.
“It is hard to separate the two mares, who have contrasting racing styles, and they give the stable two live winning chances in the Norms Daughter Classic and the Mares Classic,” said Young.
Heavenly Gipsy’s main attribute is her sparkling gate speed and her ability as a frontrunner, while Penny Black is extremely tough and versatile.
Young rates Penny Black as the best mare he has trained. “She has had to do it the hard way in most of her twelve wins and seven placings from 24 starts in WA,” he said.
“I now rate Penny Black as the best mare I’ve trained, ahead of Eighteen Carat, and with Heavenly Gipsy pushing for third ahead of Nevermindthechaos.”
Heavenly Gipsy’s win on Friday night gave Young his 72ND success for the season, giving him a comfortable lead on the WA trainers’ premiership table, ahead of Aiden De Campo (49 winners) and Greg and Skye Bond (44 winners).
“We’re trying to win the premiership,” said Young. “It’s not often you are in a position where you can win, so we will be trying to make the most of it. I mightn’t get another chance.”
Heavenly Gipsy, the $1.40 favourite, began from barrier five and Gary Hall Jnr dashed her to the front after about 200m, with the lead time a brisk 36.5sec. followed by 400m sections of 30.3sec. and 29.1sec.
Smart mare Little Darling, the $5 second fancy from the outside barrier (No. 9) on the front line, began a three-wide move 550m after the start and raced in the breeze over the final 1200m before fighting on to finish fourth, with the winner rating 1.55.6 after final quarters of 28.5sec. and 28.6sec.
Heavenly Gipsy is by Rock N Roll Heaven and is the third foal out of Mach Robyn, who raced 14 times in Victoria for four wins, five placings and $15,975. Heavenly Gipsy has earned $130,589 from 12 wins and 17 placings from 50 starts.