Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
New South Wales-bred five-year-old Watts Up Sunshine, who had managed just one placing from his previous eight starts, bounced back to form with a soft win in the 1730m Follow @ Gloucester Park On Twitter Pace at pacing headquarters on Friday night.
Starting a hot $1.10 favourite, Watts Up Sunshine was not seriously challenged as he dawdled in front before sprinting over the final 400m in 27.2sec. to win by two lengths from his stablemate Beat City, the second fancy at $8.50 who raced without cover and battled on gamely.
“That was just trackwork for him,” said trainer Michael Young, who completed a double when October Reign was successful in the following event.
“Watts Up Sunshine is a frustrating horse. He could win a Free-For-All by leading. But if he doesn’t lead a CO (maiden) pacer could beat him. He is an absolute giant killer in front. He doesn’t try when he doesn’t lead. At his previous start he was travelling outside the leader Withoutthetuh and had the race shot to pieces. But he finished sixth.
“When he pokes his head in front, he drops the bit. But in front, he really tries.”
Watts Up Sunshine, a winner of 16 races in New South Wales and Queensland, has won at three of his eleven starts in WA, and he now has earned $201,085 from 19 wins and 18 placings from 70 starts.