Reuben runs 'em ragged at Gloucester Park
Five-year-old Reuben Brogden scored a bonus win in the $22,500 Princi Butchers Sprint (1730m) at Gloucester Park tonight and boosted his prospects for the $35,000 August Cup (2536m) next Friday.
The Gary Elson-trained gelding, starting at $22.80 in the sprint, stormed four-wide around rivals over the final 500m and beat Old McDonald by a head. In The Perfect Storm ran a close third.
Odds-on favourite David Hercules finished fourth after racing three-wide from the 900m.
"Reuben Brogden has found sprints too short for his liking in the past," Elson said. "I was using tonight's race only as his lead-up to the August Cup.
"But thanks to a great drive by Kim Young, he's landed a surprise win. Reuben Brogden should be hard to beat in the August Cup, now he's found peak form again.
"He's always been a quality horse. Despite a series of setbacks, he's won 15 races from 41 starts."
The $14,850 earned tonight by Reuben Brogden lifted his career earnings to almost $135,000.
Trainer Gary Hall raised his sights with Our Arlington after an upset win tonight and he will also be an August Cup runner.
Our Arlington ($23.70) ran on to defeat heavily backed stablemate Northview Punter ($1.80 favourite) by 1.5m. Sonic Classic finished third.
"I was going to race Our Arlington in a claimer," Hall said. "But he's exceeded expectations and is now a candidate for the August Cup."
Hall has rich plans for Elegant Christian, who won first-up as a $2.20 favourite in Sopressa Three-Year-Old Pace (2130m).
"He's a Golden Nugget horse," Hall said. "It was a big run to come three-wide from 10th position tonight."
The $175,000 Golden Nugget (2536m) will be run at Gloucester Park's summer carnival.
Co-trainers Greg and Skye Bond will aim tonight's winner Barrow Street at the Goldfields.
"He'll be entered for the Kalgoorlie Cup on September 18," Greg Bond said.
The Golden Nugget is also a mission for Bettor Offer, who won at $1.20 for the Bonds tonight.
