CAMLOT CAPTURES
BRENNAN
Ray Gemmill and his
Western Pacific Stable continue to shop wisely in Ontario.
Last year the wily,
and veteran, trainer and his stable bought and brought
Armbro Bach to the Wet Coast. Bach won his share of races,
including big stakes, before being claimed for a hefty
stipend.
This time it’s
Stonebridge Camlot who’s paying his way nicely after being
brought to the Downs by Gemmill and Co.
Stonebridge Camlot,
a four-year-old son of Camluck out of Reona Hanover, raced
gate to wire to capture the $30,000 Pat Brennan Memorial
Stake last Friday. Since arriving in B.C. from Ontario,
and making his first start on Dec. 26, Camlot has competed
in three stakes.
He was second in the
$34,400 Langley Pace and third in an elimination leg of
the Clash of the Pacific prior to his Brennan triumph.
It all adds up to
earnings of more than $34,000 in 2006 – and ran his career
money to more than $62,000.
The Brennan had
attracted a field of seven but come post time the public
had said it would be a battle between the inside three
horses: Camlot, on the rail, at 5-2, Thisisbliss, post 2
at 5-2 and Accent Seelster, post 3 and the favorite at
6-5.
They did form the
battle, going the mile and remaining in that order. Camlot,
with driver Tim Brown, took full advantage of his pole
position start, registering quarters of 27.3, 57.3 and
1:26.1, before coming home in a 29.1 final quarter for a
1:55.2 clocking.
Camlot, who was not
in the money in his previous two starts, won by 2¼ lengths
over Thisisbliss (Blissfull Hall) with Accent Seelster (Camluck)
another 1¾ lengths behind in third.
Thisisbliss was
coming off three straight wins while Accent Seelster had
three firsts, a second and two thirds in his last seven
starts.
“I thought my best
shot was to get out front and I was able to do so and it
worked out,” said Brown.
“He’s a nice little
horse and Ray had him pretty good.”
Rounding out the
finish were Dancelikeahos, Cucomunga, Joe Millionaire and
Boiling Over.
