Im Victorious wins Fremantle Cup
Five-year-old Im Victorious landed the first leg of a rich treble when he brilliantly equalled a race record in winning the Group 1 $250,000 Yes Loans Fremantle Cup (2536m) at Gloucester Park tonight.
He is nominal favourite for next Friday's $400,000 Nepean Conveyors WA Pacing Cup (2936m) and will be a leading fancy for the $750,000 Interdominion Championship (3000m) in Sydney on March 2.
Im Victorious ($3.40), cleverly driven by Gary Hall Jr, scored by 2m from pacemaker Bettors Fire ($2.50 favourite) and David Hercules ($12.10) was a further 3m back in third place.
The 1:56.5 rated by Im Victorious equalled champion ImThemightyquinn's race record set two years ago.
A leg injury ruled Im Themightyquinn out of Gloucester Park's carnival and he will not resume training until next month.
Hall, who notched his sixth Fremantle Cup victory, lavished praise on Im Victorious and trainer Michael Brennan.
"Im Victorious is going to be a very good WA representative in major Eastern States races over the next few years," Hall said. "One of his biggest assets is that he relaxes so well in middle stages of races.
"Full credit tonight to the horse, Michael Brennan and his wife Lara. Im Victorious is just back from an interstate campaign.
"I know from experience with Im Themightyquinn that it is a very difficult task to win in top company here immediately after returning from the east."
Hall drove Im Victorious to his first three wins, in early 2012. He was having only his fourth drive behind the bay tonight and maintained a 100 per cent winning record with skilful tactics.
It was a winning move when Hall took Im Victorious around the field to settle outside Bettors Fire at the 1600m. He hit the front on the home turn.
Im Victorious was bought in New Zealand by Brennan, acting for a WA syndicate, before the gelding raced.
He has won at 21 of 31 starts and earned stakes of more than $700,000.
"Im Victorious is very easy to train," an emotional Brennan said. "He's an absolute star."
David Hercules produced a big run after racing wide and will be a strong WA Pacing Cup contender if drawing well.
Hez The Bart Man bounded into calculations to earn handicapper's selection for a WA Pacing Cup start when he scored an upset win in the $25,000 Fremantle Cup Consolation (2536m).
The Ross Olivieri-trained Hez The Bart Man ($10.50), driven by Aldo Cortopassi, rated 1:57.2 when charging home to beat Danieljohn ($9.80) by 6m.
Famous Alchemist ($17.50) secured a clear run late and finished strongly to claim third place, more than 8m behind Hez The Bart Man.
Cortopassi said Hez The Bart Man was unlucky not to finish closer than fourth when he drove him three weeks ago.
"He would have been placed if not forced to cover extra ground last start," Cortopassi said. "I was delighted when Ross called me to again drive Hez The Bart Man."
Heavily backed Sneakyn Down Under set the pace in the consolation but faded after being headed by Hez The Bart Man at the 300m.
Hez The Bart Man had moved up three-wide to fifth at the bell and maintained a powerful run.
