The Kasey Wilson trained Pace Ace and jockey Ibrahim Gundogdu race away from their rivals to win race four at Pakenham. It was the nine-year-old geldings fifth win from 42 starts. 74375
By David Nagel
TRAINING a nine-year-old with soundness issues has proven quite a challenge for Pakenham trainer Kasey Wilson, but her unorthodox methods paid off when Pace Ace won the $12,000 Pact and Bonaire 0-58 Handicap (1008m) at Pakenham on Friday.
Wilson lit up the race course with her huge smile and genuine excitement at the gelding’s all the way win, his first in three years after a string of minor placing’s. Pace Ace was having his first start since injuring himself in a race at Ballarat back in February.
Jockey Ibrahim Gundogdu took Pace Ace straight to the front from a wide barrier and won running away by two and a half lengths from Broken Jaw with Prowler back in third place. Wilson knows her horse very well and uses different techniques to get the horse race fit.
“I don’t bring him to the track much at all,” Wilson said.
“I take him up bush and we walk and ride up and down mountains, he really expresses himself even when he’s walking, he’s a real goer, he puts in and makes himself fit.
“I let him tell me how he’s feeling, when he gets a bit grumpy I leave him alone but when he’s bucking and kicking I pour the work into him.
“My parents have a horse pool so I swim him as well.” she said.
Pace Ace had six months off after his injury at Ballarat but Wilson knew after a track gallop at Cranbourne last Monday that the son of Commands was cherry ripe for a first up tilt at victory.
“We used that trial on the grass at Cranbourne as a final hit-out before the race and Ibrahim got off and said ‘he’s ready’”, she said.
“He ran third behind Johnny Fiasco in that trial and he’s a much better class horse than what he met here.
Wilson lives in Bunyip and said winning at Pakenham was a huge thrill after a family fairytale nearly came true at the track in October last year.
“I just love Pakenham; my daughter (Rhagan Cross) started her jockey’s apprenticeship last year and she rode Pace Ace into a second place here,” she said.
Wilson has no immediate plans for Pace Ace. She’ll just play it by ear, keep smiling and let her horse tell them where they go next.
