Himself (NZ) Shows Off Supreme Staying Power

The speed and staying prowess of the New Zealand-bred standardbred was on full display in Western Australia when Himself (NZ) (Sportswriter) won the $A30,000 Group Three Marathon Handicap (3309m) at Gloucester Park on Friday night. 

The four-year-old proved his superior staying abilities after running away from his rivals to win over the mammoth trip of 3309 metres for trainers Greg and Skye Bond and driver Ryan Warwick.

Himself was purchased by Bob Butt of RJB Racing for $30,000 from breeder-vendors Shard Farm at the 2019 Christchurch National Yearling Sale.

Butt developed the pacer in New Zealand, with Himself putting together a tidy record before he was sold to clients of the Bond stable in April.

Himself’s victory in Friday night’s Group Three feature has continued the outstanding start he has made to his career since travelling to Australia. The four-year-old has already won four of his five starts across the Tasman.

Himself’s only defeat in Australia came when he ran a very narrow second in the $A50,000 Group Two San Simeon (2130m) at Gloucester Park, after he was forced to do a power of work sitting outside the leader for much of the race.

After a smart getaway, driver Ryan Warwick took Himself to the lead early in the Marathon Handicap before unleashing the pacer for a fast 56.3sec final 800 metres at the end of Friday night’s epic staying test.

Himself led home a New Zealand-bred trifecta when justifying his red-hot $1.32 favouritism to win.

Mark and Debbie Smith of Shard Farm have sold two half-sisters to Himself out of their broodmare Shards Of Myross (NZ) (McArdle) at two of NZB Standardbred’s subsequent National Yearling Sales.

In 2020 they sold a filly by He’s Watching (USA) (Lot 285) to Stephen Kitto for $10,000 and in 2021 they sold a Vincent (AUS) filly (Lot 226) to All Stars Racing Stable for $20,000.

There were two Group races at Gloucester Park on Friday night and both were won by New Zealand-breds. Kiwi-breds also won six of the ten races on the Gloucester Park card.