Bletchley Park cracks code in Village Kid Sprint

Ernie ManningThe West Australian
Camera IconOwners Albert and Julie Walmsley with reinsman Lindsay Harper after Bletchley Park’s record-breaking Village Kid Sprint win. Credit: Hamilton Content Creators

Class five-year-old Bletchley Park will be set for WA cups after breaking a race record when he brilliantly won the $50,000 Village Kid Sprint (1730m) at Gloucester Park tonight.

The Stephen Reed-trained gelding, driven by Lindsay Harper and starting a $2.30 favourite, led early and rated 1:52.4 without being fully extended.

He scored by 3.3m from Vultan Tin ($26.40) and Cant Refuse ($17.60) ran a close third.

Owners Albert and Julie Walmsley have Fremantle Pacing Cup and WA Pacing Cup plans for Bletchley Park, who eclipsed the Village Kid Sprint’s 1:52.6 race record.

“We’ll keep Bletchley Park in Perth racing even if border restrictions are lifted,” Albert Walmsley said. “He’s suited at Gloucester Park and can continue winning here.

Read more...
Camera IconBletchley Park steers clear in the home straight. Credit: Hamilton Content Creators

“All credit to Stephen Reed for improving Bletchley Park with beach work at Bunbury.

“He has blossomed since we transferred him to Stephen last year.

“Bletchley Park thrives on being kept in a paddock for most of the time. He’s changed from a pale colour to be deep black.

“Lindsay Harper has driven Bletchley Park in recent races and gets the best out him.”

Harper had previously won the Village Kid Sprint with Shattering Class in 1998 and 2002.

Bletchley Park is a brother to former Sydney star Bling It On, a winner of 49 races and stakes totalling $1.8 million.

Cant Refuse trailed Bletchley Park, but never looked likely to run him down. Vultan Tin, who last month won the WA Pacing Cup, finished strongly.

Busselton speedster Talktomeurmattjesty gave a spectacular display to win the TABtouch Pace (2130m) after leading by up to 40m for reinsman Kyle Harper.

The Barry Howlett-trained gelding shot 25m clear within 400m of the start and had a 35m break at the bell.

Rating 1:54, he scored by 14.75m from Whozideawasthis and Our Jimmy Johnstone finished a further 7m back in third place.

Camera IconTalktomeurmattjesty had a big win at Gloucester Park tonight. Credit: Hamilton Content Creators

Kristy Sheehy, 26, notched her first Friday night victory as a trainer when The Last Drop was an all-the-way winner for reinsman Shannon Suvaljko in the Cowden Pace (2130m).

Sheehy, the regional manager of a medical centre, trains two pacers as a hobby.

“The Last Drop is in peak form and will start again next Friday night,” Sheehy said.

Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.

Sign up for our emails