Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Hopps Way, a rank outsider at $33.80, caused an upset when he set the pace and won the $31,000 Westside Auto Wholesale Free-For-All over 2130m at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
The New Zealand-bred six-year-old, driven by Shannon Suvaljko for astute trainer Mike Reed, beat his stablemate and $13 chance Ragazzo Mach, rating 1.56.7, with the $2.20 favourite Rolling Fire failing to fire, finishing a disappointing sixth in the field of eight.
Hoppys Way, who was having his third start after a spell, revealed his normal brilliant gate speed as he charged straight to the front from the No. 4 barrier, with Ragazzo Mach, from the No. 1 barrier, enjoying a perfect sit behind his stablemate.
Rolling Fire, making his first appearance for four months, raced in last position until he was switched three wide at the bell. After a 28sec. third quarter he moved to third 400m from home, but he wilted over the final quarter which was run in 28.6sec.
Hoppys Way now has raced 60 times for 14 wins, 13 placings and $250,125 in prizemoney.