Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Smart gelding Thenu Came Along made a powerful late bid to earn a start in the $200,000 WA Derby next Friday night when he gave a sample of his class with a runaway win in the $21,000 Vale Hubert Tucker Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Thenu Came Along, the $1.70 favourite, survived a hectic battle for the early lead and then set a solid pace before careering away from his rivals to win by more than five lengths from the $5.50 second fancy Menemsha, rating 1.56.4 over 2130m.
“I think he has proved his point and deserves a start in the Derby, said Deni Roberts who drove the Greg and Skye Bond-trained pacer assertively.
Thenu Came Along began from the No. 1 barrier and was beaten for early speed by Atlantic Gem ($7.50) and Ideal Muscle ($10). But neither three-year-old was able to cross to the front, even after Atlantic Gem was a length in front, out three wide, in the early stages.
The fast lead time of 36.3sec. was followed by opening quarters of 30.9sec. and 30.1sec. before Thenu Came Along dashed over the final 800m in 56.8sec.
“He has come into top form and has been getting stronger with every run,” said Roberts. “Earlier, he wouldn’t have been able to do what he did tonight.”
Thenu Came Along is by champion sire Bettors Delight and is the fifth foal out of Art Major mare Arconite. He was purchased by Team Bond and Rob Gartrell’s Running Camel Pty Ltd for $85,000 at the 2022 APG Perth yearling sale. He has now earned $69,776 from six wins and seven placings from 25 starts.
Thenu Came Along should give the Bond stable a strong hand in the Derby, along with stablemates Christopher Dance, Tualou, Golden Lode and Vegas Strip.