Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
New South Wales-bred five-year-old Watts Up Sunshine is unbeatable when he leads, according to his trainer Michael Young, and he gave further proof of his frontrunning ability when he was untroubled to set the pace and score an easy victory in the 1730m The Countryman Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Seventeen of his 21 wins have been when he has set the pace, and he now boats a formidable record of 21 wins, 21 placings and stakes of $236,210 from 77 starts.
Watts Up Sunshine won ten times in New South Wales and six times in Queensland before arriving in Western Australia where his 18 starts have produced another five wins.
He was the $1.30 favourite from the No. 1 barrier and Gary Hall had a trouble-free run in front before the Sunshine Beach gelding won by a length and a half from the $8.50 second fancy Valentines Brook, who charged home from ninth and last at the bell.
The final 800m whizzed by in 56.2sec. and Watts Up Sunshine rated 1.54.1. Hillview Bondi ($31) did well to fight on and finish a head away in third place after beginning speedily and then racing without cover.
“Every time Watts Up Sunshine has led, he has won,” said Young. “Tonight, was the first time he had drawn barrier one for me. He might end up in the United States, eventually.”