Speedy six-year-old Thats Perfect was in grumpy mood when he lined up as the $1.30 favourite for the 2130m Retravision.com.au Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
He had to be driven hard by Chris Voak to shrug off a strong early challenge from Patrickthepiranha and then overraced in front before dashing over the final 400m in 27.9sec. to win by a half-length from the fast-finishing $50 chance Liam Neil.
“Yes, he overraced and I think he’s tired,” said Voak. “I think I hurt him too much in a heat of the Nights Of Thunder (winning the 1730m sprint at a 1.52.1 rate two starts earlier). I held back which was detrimental. Normally, he comes back, but he didn’t tonight. I considered Patrickthepiranha our main danger and I didn’t want to let him out.
“He still got home in 27.9sec., but I think I’ve made him an angry horse.”
Trainer Ross Olivieri said he would now send Thats Perfect out for a well-earned spell. “He’s had enough,” he said. “We’ll now put him in the paddock where he will have a spell for about a month before bringing him back. I think he has told us that he is ready to go out.”
By Ken Casellas
