The Paua Diver clears maidens

[Chief Stipe]

The Paua Diver winning for trainer driver Allan Beck

The plan to take The Paua Diver to the front by trainer driver Allan Beck worked perfectly at Ascot Park today when the four year old cleared maiden ranks at his fifth harness racing start.

The Live Or Die gelding showed promise early when he ran third behind the talented Zinny Mac at Winton in mid December, pacing the 2400 metres in 2-56.2.

“After that first run he got himself a bit worked up. Before that he was a perfect natured horse. He’s been a bit disappointing in a couple of his runs,” said Beck who part owns the gelding with breeders Ben and Karen Calder.

From Gate Six Beck used the horse’s natural early speed and took The Paua Diver to the lead. From that point he ran good solid even quarters before Flaming Jim made a lightening quick move to challenge inside the last 800 metres. Duty Bound, driven by Robin Swain, which had trailed The Paua Diver for most of the way pulled out and forced Flaming Jim three wide before taking the lead.

“They showed a bit too much speed for me so I just let them go in the finish. Robin’s one was going alright.”

Once Duty Bound had taken The Paua Diver to the passing lane Beck pushed the go button again and the gelding showed he was too good for his rivals, beating Duke Of Dundee by two lengths with Flaming Jim another length back in third.

“He’s like his sister (Bettor Enforce). You just have to let them go. The harder you go the more they seem to enjoy it.”

Coming back to the birdcage                                  – Photo Bruce Stewart

Beck trained The Paua Divers dam Their Excuse which won her first race but was unplaced in three further starts.

The win with The Paua Diver was one of two for Beck today. He also drove the Brian Nicol trained Cast A Shadow to win the Sheet Metalcraft Mobile Pace.

 

Bruce Stewart

 

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