Passing the winning post with a lap to travel in the $48,500 West Australian Nights Of Thunder at Gloucester Park on Friday night ace driver Deni Roberts was enjoying an ideal passage with Thelittle Master in the one-out, two-back position before she had to change her tactics.
It was then that Bettor Arcade, racing three back on the pegs, was eased off the inside by Aiden de Campo, and perfectly legitimately, forced Thelittle Master out three wide.
This left Roberts with little alternative but to keep Thelittle Master going forward, out three wide before he forged to the front with about 220m to travel on the way to a convincing victory, beating Lincoln River by a length, rating 1.54.3 over the 1730m sprint.
“Getting pushed out coming around the bend wasn’t ideal for Thelittle Master,” said Roberts. “I prefer him to follow a helmet for as long as I can, but to his credit he travelled beautifully.”
From the outset the race was destined to be fought out by the sit-sprinters --- after the opening 400m section was run in a sizzling 27.3sec. with $51 chance Elwaddell defying early challenges from the $1.75 favourite Nathan Street and Arma Believer ($8).
Nathan Street forged to the front after 500m, and the pace slackened with the second quarter being run in 30.4sec. He wilted over the final stages, with Thelittle Master, an $11 chance from out wide barrier eight, winning comfortably. Sadly, the talented Nathan Street was found to be lame in his nearside hind leg.
Thelittle Master gave leading trainers Greg and Skye Bond their second success in the Nights Of Thunder, following the success of Ocean Ridge in 2020. Earlier, Greg Bond won the event with Quick Draw McCaw in 2008 and Ohokas Bondy in 2012.
Thelittle Master is by former outstanding pacer Vincent and is the second foal out of Christian Cullen mare Anna Faye, who raced 90 times for 12 wins, 19 placings and $79,497. Thelittle Master was purchased for $40,000 at the 2022 Perth APG yearling sale, and he now has earned $182,452 from 11 wins and 18 placings from 57 starts.
