Victorian-bred pacer Im Massimo reappeared at Gloucester Park on Friday night after an absence of exactly one year when he lined up on the outside of the front line in the 2130m Westral Roller Shutters Pace and revealed the ability which could earn him starts in the rich feature events for four-year-olds in October and November.
He was the $2.30 second favourite, with Stormy Vista, having his first Australian start after arriving recently from New Zealand, the $2.15 favourite from the outside of the back line.
Im Massimo is a rising star in Justin Prentice’s Boyanup stable, and in recent weeks he has been under the care of Katie Lally while Prentice has been enjoying a fishing holiday in the south of WA, followed by a family holiday on Queensland’s Gold Coast.
Im Massimo, a giant Sweet Lou gelding who stands 16 hands tall and must weigh more than 550kg, was not produced in trials before his return to racing when Gary Hall jnr sent him forward, out three wide, in the first lap to move to the outside of the peacemaker Take A Hike ($6.50).
After a third 400m section of 28.5sec. Im Massimo dug deep to forge to the front 250m from home before beating Take A Hike by a half-length, rating 1.57.9. This improved his record to four wins, four placings and stakes of $46,646 from ten starts.
“It was a huge effort by Im Massimo,” said Hall. “I didn’t expect him to do that much. He probably had to work too much early for a horse coming off a long break. I felt like I was a sitting shot at the top of the straight, and he had every right to finish third or fourth. It’s hat’s off to Katie for the work she has done with Justin away.”
While all honours were with Im Massimo, Stormy Vista, trained by Michael Young and driven by Emily Suvaljko, impressed with his strong performance at his Australian debut. He was in last place with two laps to travel before moving to seventh (three wide) at the bell and fighting on to finish third.
