Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
WA-bred six-year-old Lil Happy Fella appreciated a drop in class, and more importantly, the fast pace in the 2130m Trotsynd Syndication Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Astute reinsman Lindsay Harper’s decision not to bustle Lil Happy Fella from the No. 2 barrier paid handsome dividends. Lil Happy Fella, a $9.10 chance, settled down one-out and one-back before being shuffled back to the one-out, two-back position where he enjoyed a comfortable run while the pace of the race was quite hot.
“It all worked out really well for him,” said Harper after driving Lil Happy Fella to a half-neck victory over the fast-finishing $101 outsider Rock Me Over. “They put it on for him; they never put the foot off the gas. And this really suited him.”
Flying Rumour, the $2.35 favourite was first out from barrier three before taking the lead after 200m. Solesseo Matuca ($3.50) dashed forward to move to the breeze after about 600m, and with Flying Rumour overracing, the pace was a cracker, with the first three quarters of the final mile being covered in 28.5sec., 28.6sec. and 28.5sec.
Solesseo Matuca finally got to the front 450m from home, and Lil Happy Fella was fifth 300m out before going three wide on the home turn and surging to the front at the 70m mark and winning from Rock Me Over, who finished boldly from ninth at the bell.
Lil Happy Fella, owned by Debbie and John Padberg and trained by Debbie, was having his fourth start after a spell. He had been unplaced in his three starts before Friday night’s race when racing in Free-For-All company against pacers of the calibre of Mister Smartee, Steel The Show, Sangue Reale, To Fast To Serious, Tricky Miki and Alcopony.
“First-up he came from last to finish fourth behind Mister Smartee, and tonight he was racing in weaker company,” said Harper.
Lil Happy Fella has earned $128,378 from 13 wins and 15 placings from 63 starts.
WA-bred six-year-old Lil Happy Fella appreciated a drop in class, and more importantly, the fast pace in the 2130m Trotsynd Syndication Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Astute reinsman Lindsay Harper’s decision not to bustle Lil Happy Fella from the No. 2 barrier paid handsome dividends. Lil Happy Fella, a $9.10 chance, settled down one-out and one-back before being shuffled back to the one-out, two-back position where he enjoyed a comfortable run while the pace of the race was quite hot.
“It all worked out really well for him,” said Harper after driving Lil Happy Fella to a half-neck victory over the fast-finishing $101 outsider Rock Me Over. “They put it on for him; they never put the foot off the gas. And this really suited him.”
Flying Rumour, the $2.35 favourite was first out from barrier three before taking the lead after 200m. Solesseo Matuca ($3.50) dashed forward to move to the breeze after about 600m, and with Flying Rumour overracing, the pace was a cracker, with the first three quarters of the final mile being covered in 28.5sec., 28.6sec. and 28.5sec.
Solesseo Matuca finally got to the front 450m from home, and Lil Happy Fella was fifth 300m out before going three wide on the home turn and surging to the front at the 70m mark and winning from Rock Me Over, who finished boldly from ninth at the bell.
Lil Happy Fella, owned by Debbie and John Padberg and trained by Debbie, was having his fourth start after a spell. He had been unplaced in his three starts before Friday night’s race when racing in Free-For-All company against pacers of the calibre of Mister Smartee, Steel The Show, Sangue Reale, To Fast To Serious, Tricky Miki and Alcopony.
“First-up he came from last to finish fourth behind Mister Smartee, and tonight he was racing in weaker company,” said Harper.
Lil Happy Fella has earned $128,378 from 13 wins and 15 placings from 63 starts.