Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
WA-bred four-year-old Back On Line revived memories of Bettors Icon winning the $100,000 Group 1 Pearl classic for two-year-olds almost 13 years ago when he finished with a spirited burst to win the $21,000 Garrard’s Now UFO Stocklists Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Both pacers were bred, owned, trained and driven by Brad Stampalia, who was devastated when Bettors Icon broke down and had to be retired after only five starts (for his Pearl win and one minor placings for stakes of $63,540).
Bettors Icon was the first foal out of unraced Christian Cullen mare Chrissy Hills, whose fifth foal Back On Line is the only other of her progeny to appear in a race.
“It’s a long road, breeding and training them to race,” said 52-year-old Stampalia, who owns a trucking business and trains a few pacers as a hobby at his Bullsbrook property.
“Tonight, I was confident of winning as long as we got a (clear) run (after being hemmed in behind the frontrunning Control Queen). But it was a bit tight, and I probably caused a bit of trouble on the turn before he sprinted home well.”
Back On Line, a $4.80 chance from the inside of the back line, checked the breeze horse Pay Homage ($12) on the home turn as he shifted out from the pegs and into the clear. He went on to win by a length from Control Queen to take his record to 15 starts for three wins, three placings and $28,348 in prizemoney.
WA-bred four-year-old Back On Line revived memories of Bettors Icon winning the $100,000 Group 1 Pearl classic for two-year-olds almost 13 years ago when he finished with a spirited burst to win the $21,000 Garrard’s Now UFO Stocklists Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Both pacers were bred, owned, trained and driven by Brad Stampalia, who was devastated when Bettors Icon broke down and had to be retired after only five starts (for his Pearl win and one minor placings for stakes of $63,540).
Bettors Icon was the first foal out of unraced Christian Cullen mare Chrissy Hills, whose fifth foal Back On Line is the only other of her progeny to appear in a race.
“It’s a long road, breeding and training them to race,” said 52-year-old Stampalia, who owns a trucking business and trains a few pacers as a hobby at his Bullsbrook property.
“Tonight, I was confident of winning as long as we got a (clear) run (after being hemmed in behind the frontrunning Control Queen). But it was a bit tight, and I probably caused a bit of trouble on the turn before he sprinted home well.”
Back On Line, a $4.80 chance from the inside of the back line, checked the breeze horse Pay Homage ($12) on the home turn as he shifted out from the pegs and into the clear. He went on to win by a length from Control Queen to take his record to 15 starts for three wins, three placings and $28,348 in prizemoney.