Ken Casellas | Photo: Hamilton Content Creators
It was quite appropriate that the $19,000 APG Perth Sale March 3RD Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night was won by a pacer purchased at the APG Perth yearling sale in 2018.
The pacer in question is seven-year-old Tintin In America gelding Middlepage, who was not extended by trainer-reinsman Lindsay Harper in setting the pace and coasting to a two-length victory over Name In Lights.
Harper purchased Middlepage for $20,000 and he races the gelding in partnership with seven first-time owners, a syndicate of casino workers.
Middlepage, named because he was featured in the middle page of the KTC Bloodstock yearling sale magazine, has proved an excellent buy with earnings of $164,895 from 17 wins and 20 placings from 86 starts. Harper also paid $8500 for a Rich And Spoilt yearling at the 2018 sale for the same owners. This pacer is Hengheng, who has raced 54 times for nine wins, 11 placings and $91,121.
“A reason why I bought Middlepage was because I liked his conformation,” said Harper. “He was a lovely, conformed horse.
“Middlepage had a really good (previous) campaign but at the moment he is not going quite right and is taking his time to hit his stride. He is not a Free-For-All horse but should work his way to that grade.
“Dropping in class tonight was comfortable for him. He won with something in hand. But he hasn’t been quite right. I’ve had vets look at him, but we can’t quite put a finger on it. However, I think there are more wins in him.”
Middlepage is the seventh foal out of New Zealand mare Thats The Spirit, who also produced Patrickthepiranha, a winner of 13 races in WA and 18 in America. Patrickthepiranha earned $574,194 from 31 wins and 25 placings from 100 starts. His wins included Group 1, 2 and 3 features for juvenile pacers as well as the Group 2 Christmas Gift in December 2019, a week after finishing a head second to Shockwave in the Golden Nugget.