“This is my first metro win, and it’s very exciting,” exclaimed Busselton trainer Katie Howlett after Chris Voak had driven the inexperienced five-year-old Brought To Light to an easy victory in the Westral Meshlock Security Doors And Screens Pace over 2130m at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Howlett has revived Bought To Light’s career this year after gelding was off the scene for 30 months after finishing second in the group 1 Golden Slipper in September 2023.
“He had a rushed preparation as a two-year-old when I had issues with him,” said Howlett. “And then after getting him back in work after a spell he kept going rough and galloping all the time.
“We couldn’t diagnose what was causing the trouble, and it was discovered that he had bone chips in a leg, and they were removed.
“But he still was not right. I worked it out that the problem was with his feet, and finally I used flip flops on him this preparation, and they have worked. I wish I had tried them on him earlier.”
Brought To Light was having his sixth start in his comeback campaign when he was the $3.40 favourite on Friday night. Voak got him away quickly from the No. 3 barrier and he dashed go the front after 150m when Aiden de Campo was content to take the sit with $6 chance Up And Alive.
Brought To Light sprinted over the final 800m in 55.8sec. and coasted to a 7m victory over the $3.80 second fancy Spitfire, who fought on gamely after working without cover all the way. Up And Alive finished a close-up third, with the winner rating 1.55.2.
Voak praised Brought To Light, saying: “There is no doubt he has the ability to step up to Free-For-Alls, providing his body holds up. He is strong and versatile, and patience and passion pays off.”
“I had an idea Brought To Light could win the Bunbury Horse of the Year award this season, but with this city win he might have limited opportunities to race at Bunbury (where he has had four starts this season for two wins, one third and one fourth placing),” said Howlett.
“I have 20 horses in training and the staff we have are great.”
Brought To Light is a nuggetty, well-muscled little pacer who now has raced 16 times for four wins, seven placings and $75,210 in prizemoney. He is a typical dark brown Bettors Delight gelding, who is the ninth foal out of the Dream Away mare Exposay, who produced former star pacer El Jacko.
El Jacko earned $620,010 from 41 wins and 48 placings from 183 starts. He had seven starts in New Zealand for two wins as a three-year-old before winning 21 times in Western Australia and being sent to the United States where he won another 19 times.
El Jacko is well remembered for his second to Rocknroll Lincoln in the WA Pacing Cup at Gloucester Park in January 2019 before he reversed the placings with his win in the Pinjarra Cup two months later.
