West Tyrone Powers To First Win
It has been a successful winter season so far and there are a few more horses coming out to join the all-weather team. This is the point of the year where some 3yo’s will be beginning their year with the turf season in mind. West Tyrone had returned to action last month and with that race fitness under his belt, he gained his first career win by taking the 1m Gamble Responsibly At BetMGM Handicap at Southwell.
The son of Zarak had shaped with promise last year but did look like a 3yo prospect. Having thrived over the winter he made his handicap debut in early February. It was a fine effort, looking like the winner everywhere bar the line. The lack of race fitness maybe just caught him out, so with a run under the belt he seemed like a winner waiting to happen.
Southwell presented a similar race, although a different test of track. Tom Eaves looks to be positive from the off and jumped to the front to dictate the race. There was no fight for the lead and so he led at a sensible gallop along the back straight. With rivals happy to take a lead, West Tyrone led into the bend, striding on in first time cheek-pieces.
At halfway West Tyrone was swinging around the bend and utilising his stride. Tom allowed his mount to gallop away in a rhythm he was comfortable with. He was never left alone on the lead but West Tyrone was always travelling nicely in Tom’s hands as they continued to wing left handed.
Hitting the top of the home straight, West Tyrone was 1/2 length up as Tom began to loosen his grip. Beginning to wind things up, Tom nudged his mouth along moving into the final 2f. His rivals were lining up their challenges in behind as West Tyrone looked to lengthen out in front.
The lead looked to be under threat around 1 1/2f from home but West Tyrone had yet to really find his stride. Tom changed his hands, gave a couple of flicks and asked his mount to go through with his run. West Tyrone responded, changed leads and started to assert. Suddenly the lead opened up as his rivals could not match his change of gear. The final furlong was deciding the winning margin as West Tyrone galloped out in isolation, securing his first win by 1 3/4 lengths.
This win, whilst not guaranteed, did look to be coming and West Tyrone couldn’t have done it any better. He is a big, galloping type and Tome utilised that from the off. You may say that Southwell wouldn’t have been the ideal track for him, with a sterner test likely to suit. He is learning with every run and there does look to be plenty more to come from him, especially with the turf season around the corner.