Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Experienced seven-year-old Dalvey Robyn was seen in a new role for the first time in ten starts in WA when he set the pace from the No. 6 barrier in the 2130m Prince Brino Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Trainer Gary Hall Jnr had driven Dalvey Robyn as a sit-sprinter at his first nine starts in WA before he planned to test his gate speed in a bid to lead on Friday night when he was concerned that Aiden De Campo’s six-year-old Rockandrollartist would prove extremely hard to beat if he took the lead from the outside barrier in the field of seven.
“I was worried that if Aiden beats me out and gets in front of me, I would be in trouble,” said Hall. “Reverse the draws, and I think you could pretty well say that the result would be reversed.”
Dalvey Robyn was the $1.50 favourite, with Rockandrollartist the $4.20 second fancy. Ideal Tomado ($34) was smartest into stride from the No. 2 barrier, while Dalvey Robyn was out three wide and holding Rockandrollartist at bay, and then out four wide before surging to the front after 120m, leaving Rockandrollartist in the breeze.
Dalvey Robyn settled immediately and coasted through the lead time in a slow 38.5sec. and the first quarter in a leisurely 32sec. Then followed 400m sections of 30.1sec., 28.1sec. and 27.3sec. with Dalvey Robyn holding on grimly to win by a head from Rockandrollartist, rating 1.57.9.
“I was happy with Dalvey Robyn’s gate speed,” said Hall. “I didn’t know how he would go. This was the first time I had asked him to show good gate speed, and he handled it well. He settled nicely after firing out and then dropping the bit.
“I was a bit worried because sometimes when you fire a sit-kick style of horse off the gate, they don’t have a lot there at the finish. He got away with a fair bit early and I was thankful that we held Rockandrollartist out.”
Dalvey Robyn, a gelding by Washington VC, has now raced ten times in WA for three wins and four placings, taking his career record to 58 starts for 12 wins, 25 placings and stakes of $158,155.