Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Victorian-bred pacer Oceanfront was beaten out from the No. 1 barrier but was able to get clear in the home straight and win the $21,000 Allwood Stud Pace for three-year-old fillies over 2130m at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
She was a $13.70 chance, with Ruby Lou ($1.90 favourite) and Wicked Lover ($3) dominating the betting on the race, in which ace driver Deni Roberts was hoping to set the pace.
“Her gate speed was a little slower than I expected,” said Roberts. “But we ended up sitting behind the right horse (the $7.50 chance Spirited Whitby), and things worked out perfectly.”
Wicked Lover had a tough run in the breeze before wilting to finish fourth, while Ruby Lou disappointed in finishing eighth in the field of nine.
Ruby Lou went forward, three wide, from out wide at barrier eight before being restrained to the rear. She began a three-wide move from last at the bell but failed to threaten any danger to the leaders.
Oceanfront is prepared by Bunbury trainer Bob Mellsop for Russell Crossen, who purchased the filly after she had won as a $31 outsider at Shepparton in January this year and then was advertised at a cheap price.
Oceanfront is by Vincent and is the second foal out of unraced mare Special Beach. She now has had ten starts for two wins, one second placings and $18,067 in prizemoney.
Mellsop and Roberts kept up the good work at the Bunbury meeting on Saturday night when they combined to win a 2100m event with the$1.50 favourite Swizzlestick.