Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Eight-year-old mare Nullarbor Navajo is earning the reputation as a giant killer.
Following her victory at $11 over the brilliant Steno in the Golden Girls Mile at Pinjarra two starts before Friday night’s $25,000 Go One Better With Westral Pace over 2130m at Gloucester Park on Friday night, she was a $13.40 chance when she caused an upset by beat top-flight mares Penny Black and Water Lou.
Water Lou ($7) burst to the front from barrier five after Penny Black, the $1.45 favourite from barrier three, broke into a gallop and lost about eight lengths.
The lead time was a slow 38.9sec. followed by a casual opening quarter of 31.6sec. as the field of six raced in Indian file. Stuart McDonald made a decision to ease Nullarbor Navajo off the pegs and into the breeze with 1350m to travel.
Nullarbor Navajo‘s run was followed by Penny Black, and she got to the front 120m from the post and held on to win by a head from Penny Black, who finished with great determination. Water Lou finished third.
Nullarbor Navajo rated 1.57.2 after final 400m sections of 27.5sec. and 27.6sec. She now has earned $196,035 from 14 wins and 19 placings from 59 starts.
She is owned by Ken Davies and his daughter Cheyenna King-Davies. She is by Betterthancheddar and is the fifth and last foal out of Courage Under Fire mare Teen Dreams, who raced 34 times for three wins, two placings and $15,525.
Nullarbor Navajo completed a driving double for McDonald, who maintained his excellent form in the sulky with a long-priced treble at Kellerberrin on Sunday when he scored with Tempt The Stars ($13.90), Mister Kopa ($14.80) and Dee Jays Big Boy ($22.80).
Peterson also was to the fore at Bunbury on Saturday night when he trained and drove Chillin to victory in the Oakford Stockfeeds Pace over 2100m. Chillin, having his first start for Peterson, was a $24.80 outsider who raced three back on the pegs before finishing strongly along the sprint lane to beat Callmewhatuwant by a neck.