Last night’s Western Districts Derby heats promised ‘silver service’ racing.
And star prospect Silver Lake ‘served up’ a new 450-metre track record!
Bred, owned and trained by Lynette Gough at Nyora, Silver Lake semaphored a sizzling 24.69sec – slicing 0.01sec off the 24.70sec previous mark, set by Pirate Pete on November 25 last year.
Ironically, Silver Lake ($3.00) defeated Blackpool Flash ($4.30) by 4.7L, with Pirate Pete ($2.80F) a further 3.8L away third. It was his fifth win from only six starts.
“He’s just a natural, he never puts a foot wrong,” Lynette said. “And he’s still learning what racing is all about.”
Silver Lake (Dec ’18 Fernando Bale x Hot Charmola) is also undefeated from two starts over 450m at Ballarat, having clocked 25.09sec on January 16. (Last night’s winning time was almost seven lengths quicker.)
But the track record-breaking time didn’t surprise Lynette.
WATCH: Rising star Silver Lake (4) sets a new 450m track record, clocking a sizzling 24.69sec, in a Western Districts Derby heat at Ballarat last night.
“He trialled brilliantly (24.86sec) prior to the heats,” she said. “All he had to do was get the start right.”
Lynette added that Silver Lake is a perfect kennel dog and loves people. “Everyone falls in love with him; he’s got an aura about him.”
Silver Lake’s dam, Hot Charmola, won 13 races from 28 starts. However, her race career was curtailed due to persistent issues with stopper bone tendons.
But she’s leaving a legacy as a brood matron. Her second litter (by My Redeemer) are 14 months old and she’s almost due to whelp her third litter (by Feral Franky).
Following the Derby final, Silver Lake will be transferred Woodleigh-based trainer Graham James – a close friend of the Goughs.
“My husband, Des, is returning to work and I’ve got five pups and three other racing dogs to look after,” Lynette said.
Here’s the field for the $20,000-to-the-winner Western Districts Derby final (450m) on February 10.
- Masked Avenger (Joe Borg)
- Music Event (Michael Carter)
- Silver Lake (Lynette Gough)
- Aston Rupee (Glenn Rounds)
- Mr. America (Jason Thompson)
- Ferdinand Boy (David Geall)
- Aussie Secret (Jason Thompson)
- Blackpool Flash (Renee Kenyon)
Reserves
9. Gold Driller (Brooke Ennis)
10. La La Missouri (Andrea Dailly)
