Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Three-year-old Im The Black Flash was the youngest and least experienced runner in the 2130m Garrard’s Horse And Hound Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night when he showed that he would be a worthy runner in the $200,000 WA Derby on November 3.
The New Zealand-bred colt, trained by Gary Hall Snr, was the $1.80 favourite who began from barrier six and raced in the breeze while his four-year-old stablemate High Price ($2) set the pace.
Gary Hall Jnr sent Im The Black Flash to the front 130m from home and the Bettors Delight colt coasted to victory, beating High Price by two lengths, rating 1.57.4 after final 400m sections of 28.1sec. and 28sec.
This gave Hall his fifth success on the ten-event program, following wins with Acharne Girl, August Moon, Never Ending and Dontbesillychilli.
Im The Black Flash, who was making his second appearance after a spell, has had twelve starts for five wins, two placings and stakes of $76,742.
“He was good,” said Hall. “You would expect him to do that to that field, but he just hasn’t been. So, it was good to see him go like that, and he will be aimed at the Derby.”