Ken Casellas | Photo: Hamilton Content Creators
Punters who had supported the $1.90 favourite Ima Fivestar General in the 2130m Shop Budget Stockfeeds In Oakford Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night had a scare when the six-year-old just held on to beat the $6.50 chance Mea Culpa, who fought on tigerishly after working hard in the breeze.
Ima Fivestar General, part-owned, trained and driven by Robbie Williams, began from barrier four and got to the front after 150m. After a modest early speed of 37.9sec. (lead time) and opening quarters of 31.9sec. and 31.1sec. the New Zealand-bred gelding dashed over the final 400m sections in 28.4sec. and 27.7sec. before beating Mea Culpa by a half-head at a 1.58.6 rate.
Mea Culpa failed narrowly to complete a driving treble in the first three races on the ten-event program for Kyle Symington, who won the first two events with Cheer The Major and Valentines Brook.
Ima Fivestar General has been lightly raced, and this victory took his record to 35 starts for ten wins, 14 placings and stakes of $120,084.