Temperamental mare Loch Tay continues to repay Bakers Hill trainer Mike Williams for his unshakable faith in her, and she was on her best behaviour at Gloucester Park on Friday night when she fought on determinedly to win the 2130m Gary Hall Junior, the Ultimate Driver Pace over 2130m.
A $9.20 chance, Loch Tay was driven expertly by Ryan Warwick when she began from the inside of the back line and raced three back on the pegs while $12 chance The Swindler was setting a solid pace, with World Secret ($7.50) in the breeze and the $2.80 favourite Shes A Tiny Dancer perfectly placed in the one-out, one-back position.
“When The Swindler rolled to the front so easily, I thought it was game over, said Warwick. “But when the leader was going quicker sections than I thought she needed to, I was a bit happier --- and I was happy that the horse in front of me (Cara Diana) was keeping up down the back, and I got clear after Shes A Tiny Dancer literally just got out of the way and left a clear run through for me.”
Loch Tay then finished strongly to get to the front in the closing stages and win by a metre from The Swindler, with Wall Street Girl ($8) running home strongly from 11TH at the bell to finish third.
Loch Tay, who is by American sire Fear The Dragon, is the fourth foal out of Live Or Die mare Firth Of Tay (a winner at five of her 62 starts in WA).
“She was bred by Dave Anderson, who sold her cheaply to Jesse Moore,” said Williams. “Jesse couldn’t get her going, and she hated the head check and shook her head around badly. Jesse advertised her for five grand but got no offers. So, he said I could have her for $3000. I said ‘no’ and I was then able to buy her for $2000.”
Loch Tay, who races in the name of Williams’ wife Sue, is proving a great buy, having had 34 starts for her new owners for seven wins, 13 placings and $85,189 in stakes.
“Early on, she was a real bitch and was very hard to get in the cart for jog work,” said Williams. “Obviously, she resented having the bit in her mouth and she shook her head badly in her races. After a couple of weeks, I was considering giving up, but I changed her bit and things improved.
“Even now we have to have an empty stall either side of her at Gloucester Park because she is inclined to kick out.”
