Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
New Zealand-bred pacer El Chema, who races without hopples, was always going to win the 2130m TABtouch Place A Same Race Multi Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night after the $1.80 favourite Cowboys N Bandits contacted the arm of the mobile barrier and broke into a gallop, according to his driver Emily Suvaljko.
El Chema, the $2.50 second favourite, began from the No. 2 barrier on the back line and Suvaljko quickly had him in a perfect position, one-out and one-back, with Onesmartfella ($11) setting the pace from Paroquet ($51) in the breeze and October Reign ($9) behind the pacemaker.
“I was willing to put El Chema into the race, but I got some early help when Cowboys N Bandits broke at the start, and I managed to lob one-one,” said Suvaljko. “And I then considered that the race was all over.
“El Chema enjoyed a perfect run and was able to get the job done. He won easily and I didn’t have to pull the blinds or the ear plugs. He did it comfortably.”
Suvaljko bided her time before sending El Chema to the front with 250m to travel. The six-year-old coasted home to win by 5m from October Reign, rating 1.56.6. Cowboys N Bandits, who raced three back on the pegs in fifth place, fought on to finish third.