Ken Casellas | Photo: Hamilton Content Creators
Strong New Zealand-bred pacer Dont Bother Me None defied the distinct disadvantage of a punctured sulky tyre for two laps by producing a tigerish effort to score an easy victory in the 2130m Direct trades Supply Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
The Bettors Delight five-year-old began from the outside barrier in the field of seven and he settled down in last position before Deni Roberts sent him forward with a three-wide burst to move to the breeze 450m after the start.
Dont Bother Me None, trained by Greg and Skye Bond, was great value at $8.30, with noted frontrunner The Mustang the $1.75 favourite from barrier two and Machnificent a $2.50 chance from the No. 1 barrier.
The Mustang began swiftly and led by almost a full length in the early stages but was unable to cross Machnificent. Roberts sent Don’t Bother Me None to the front with 500m to travel and he beat his veteran stablemate and $34 outsider Galactic Star by two lengths, rating 1.55.1.
“Once Machnificent and The Mustang had been involved in that early burn the plan was for Deni to pop forward to the breeze,” said Greg Bond. “To the horse’s credit he carried a flat tyre for the final two laps.
“The Mustang clipped a wheel of Dont Bother Me None’s sulky at the winning post the first time. The tyre was completely flat, and to carry it for two laps was a huge effort.”
All Dont Bother Me None’s 47 starts have been in Western Australia, and he has earned $180,577 from 18 wins and 11 placings. And his win on Friday night could be his final appearance in Australia, with Bond revealing that the horse was being sought by American interests.
“He is under offer to the States,” said Bond. “He will be checked out by the vet next week, and his future will be in America if he passes the test.”
Dont Bother Me None is a full-brother to Micky Gee (118 starts for 33 wins, 27 placings and $672,143) and Anytime (126 starts for 27 wins, 31 placings and $279,903).