Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Byford trainer Katja Warwick wasn’t happy with Rascal’s unplaced efforts at his three starts in his winter campaign, so she decided to give the five-year-old some time off.
And that has proved highly successful, with Rascal reappearing after a five-week absence with a strong frontrunning display to win the 2130m Fly Like An Eagle Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
“I wasn’t happy with his runs last time in and I decided to freshen him up a bit,” said Mrs Warwick.
Rascal began from the No. 2 barrier and Shannon Suvaljko dashed the $4.10 second fancy to the front after resisting a challenge for the early lead from $10 chance Regal Cheval, who led by a half-length but was unable to cross to the front.
Rascal sprinted over the final 400m sections in 28sec. and 28.7sec. and won by a neck from $4.80 chance Musztang, who fought on doggedly after racing without cover.
“The freshen-up has worked well, and Rascal did have a favourable draw, which makes a difference,” said Mrs Warwick. “He is his own worst enemy. If he leads, he tends to behave himself really well and is hard to run down. If he doesn’t draw to lead, he is not as versatile.”
Rascal, who is by American sire Captaintreacherous, is raced by Mrs Warwick and Tom Erceg and has had 38 starts for 12 wins, ten placings and $114,849 in prizemoney.