Surprise winner in Mares Final
Gloucester Park summer carnival Group 1 plans were announced for Hoylakes Firstlady after she scored an upset win in the $25,000 Nexans Olex The Lombardo Mares Final (2100m) at Bunbury tonight.
The six-year-old, starting at $13.40, took an inside run over final stages and beat Hidden Bad ($7.90) by a head. Jungle Jewel, a $2.40 favourite, finished third after setting the pace.
Hoylakes Firstlady is prepared at Capel by young trainer-reinsman Aiden De Campo, who has recently been on a winning streak.
"My long-term aim is to set her for the Mares Classic at Gloucester Park in December," De Campo said. "It's a Group 1 race with a lot of prestige
"Hoylakes Firstlady has tonight won her first race in six starts since a transfer to our stable and I think she can go on improving."
De Campo had earlier driven Delightful Jade, trained by the reinsman's father Andrew De Campo, to win the Schneider Electric Westbred Pace (1609m).
Delightful Jade ($2.60) produced a bold front running exhibition to record victory by a neck over $2 favourite Three Bears.
The $100,000 3YO Fillies Westbred Final (2130m) will be tackled by Delightful Jade at Gloucester Park's re-opening next Friday night.
"Delightful Jade possesses brilliant early speed," De Campo Jr said. "She has won 16 races from 27 starts. Most of the wins have resulted her ability to begin fast."
Lady Willoughby, who won tonight's Lumex Electrical 3YO Fillies Westsired Pace (2100m), will clash with Delightful Jade next Friday night.
"Big potential is being shown by Lady Willoughby and she has a bright future," trainer Ross Olivieri said. " She finished close behind topliners when I raced her in Melbourne."
Lady Willoughby, a $2 favourite tonight, won by 6.7m from pacemaker Massive Attack ($4) and Sea Smile ($3) ran third.
Trainer-reinsman Justin Prentice landed a quinella when $1.60 favourite Captain Oats won the Gerard Lighting 3YO Colts And Geldings Westsired Pace (2100m).
The gelding, driven by Prentice, never looked in danger after taking an early lead and he relegated stablemate Master Jaxon ($2.90), driven by Brayden Green, to second by 2.5m.
Soho Highroller won the Led Perth Past Presidents Cup (2100m) for reinsman Clinton Hall after sprinting clear near the 400m post. He held off a late challenge from Our Blackbird and This Time Dylan ran a fast-finishing third.
