Bionic Boy in record breaking win

Craig Brennan
Friday, July 02, 2010

Lightly-raced sprinter Bionic Boy broke the track record with his last stride victory in the $125,000 Open Class Stakes over 1000m on the Polytrack on Friday night.

Appreciating a fast early pace, Bionic Boy, ridden by Mark Gallagher, made a dive on the line to score by a head over the favourite Northern Lion (Joao Moreira) with Tuxedo Moon (John Powell) three-quarters-of-a-length away third.

Bionic Boy stopped the clock at 58.07 seconds for the 1000m, taking 0.2 seconds off Break Free’s previous course record.

Bionic Boy (Mark Gallagher) on the outside and Northern Lion (Joao Moreira)
stage a ding-dong battle which the former eventually wins by a head.

For Gallagher it was a welcome return to winner’s circle, just his fourth winner for the season and his first since May 2 aboard Silver Element.

“That was a breath of fresh air,” exclaimed Gallagher after the victory.

“After a couple of good seasons and riding a winner at the first meeting of the year I thought that this would be my year.

“But things just haven’t gone my way and it has been very frustrating. I just can’t get my leg across some of the good horses.

“I’m old enough now to try and not worry about it, but it does get you down.

“Hopefully this will be the turning point for me.”

Gallagher rode an inspired race aboard Bionic Boy having the gelding stalking a fast pace set by Tuxedo Moon, My Son (Barend Vorster) and Northern Lion.

On turning for home Gallagher pulled Bionic Boy towards the centre of the track as Tuxedo Moon and Northern Lion settled down to fight the race out.

Just as Northern Lion, who was backed down to run the $12 favourite, looked all set to claim victory, Bionic Boy, $64, drove hard to get the bob in on the line in a finish that tricked many.

Trainer Steven Burridge said the gelding, which was having his second run back following a break, was so honest and deserving of his victory.

“He probably needed the run last time after being caught wide,” said Burridge. “We thought he had some chance tonight but again he was caught wide.

“But they went mad up in front and with him liking it a bit further he was able to drive hard to the line.”

Burridge said he would now “keep raising the bar” with Bionic Boy following his first success in open company.

Bionic Boy, a four-year-old son of dual Hong Kong International Sprint winner Falvelon from the Sri Pekan mare Pekan Lady, has now won five of his 14 starts with a further five second placings and prizemoney fast approaching $300,000.

Hotmail: Powerful Free email with security by Microsoft. Get it now.