Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
WA-bred five-year-old Bettor Move Along broke through for his first city win at his eleventh appearance at Gloucester Park when he ran home with a powerful burst from 11TH at the bell to beat Torpedo Rock and Mighthavtime in the2130m Retravision Ellenbrook Pace on Friday night.
The win gave veteran Allanson trainer Brian Wheeler his first city win since his chestnut mare Once Bitten was successful on August 1, 2017, two years after Once Bitten had won the Group 1 Westbred Classic for three-year-old fillies.
Bettor Move Along was driven for the first time by Ryan Warwick, who replaced the gelding’s regular driver Trent Wheeler, son of the trainer who opted to drive at the Albany meeting on Friday night where he landed four seconds and one third placing.
Warwick drove Bettor Move Along, a $23.50 chance, patiently, restraining the gelding from the No. 5 barrier to settle down at the rear while Street Appeal, a $41 outsider from the No. 1 barrier, was setting the pace.
Bettor Move Along was in 11TH position 650m from home before starting a three-wide move 200m later. Bettor Move Along was fifth, out five wide, on the home turn, and he charged home to win by 2m from $12 chance Torpedo Rock, who finished strongly from seventh at the bell.
Bettor Move Along, who has won twice at Collie, Wagin and Narrogin and once at Kellerberrin, Pinjarra and Bunbury, has raced 66 times for ten wins, 23 placings and $80,723.
He is raced on lease by Brian Wheeler, his wife Sue and their daughter Hayley. “He has been extremely consistent,” said Wheeler. “He is a good sit-sprinter. But when we first got him, he used to lead, but we have tried to make him a bit tougher and sit him in and let him run on. And that seems to be working.”
Bettor Move Along is by Bettors Delight and is out of the unraced mare Rocknroll Royalty, a daughter of the brilliant Amongst Royalty, who amassed $570,820 from 23 wins and 27 placings from 86 starts. Amongst Royalty is also the dame of Lady Willoughby (53 starts for 16 wins, 14 placings and $167,293) and Lord Willoughby (227 starts for 42 wins, 73 placings and $402,355).