Pike’s patience a Game changer

Adam Durrant’s three-year-old Deception Game has just seven career starts under his belt, but Sunday’s victory in the Civilcon Construction Handicap (1400m) at the Bunbury Turf Club displayed the class of a seasoned runner.

Entering Sunday with two consecutive wins, William Pike was perched at the back of the field for three quarters of the journey, with the gelding unable to find rhythm.

However, in the closing stages, Pike found a path, with Deception Game calmly striding alongside Rob Smith’s six-year-old Awesome As, who appeared on course for a comfortable victory.

Seconds out from the winning post, Deception Game edged his neck in front of the valiant mare and secured a thrilling victory.

With three wins already in his career, one wonders whether Lark Hill-based Durrant will be enticed to send the three-year-old back to Perth to back up his September 26 metro victory.

Another runner who impressed during Sunday’s meeting was Stephen Miller’s three-year-old The Pen, who recorded his first career victory in the Qube Ports and Bulk Transport Maiden (1000m).

With a run similar to Pike’s later in the afternoon, rider Paul Harvey took control of the gelding from the middle of the field and kept a solid tempo in the final 200m.

Once hitting the front, The Pen showed excellent temperament and glided to victory ahead of Euphonious, who enjoyed a solid finish in her first outing of the season.

There was joy for South West-based trainers, with Justin Warwick’s pre-race fancy Lennon’s Song comfortably defeating Triple Express by a length in the Qube Ports and Bulk Stevedoring Handicap (1675m) ensuring back-to-back wins from four starts.

Although victory ultimately eluded him, there was a lot to like from Tom Widdeson’s five-year-old Distant Trilogy, who finished second in the Market City Meats Handicap (1200m).

Action returns to the Bunbury Turf Club on Tuesday, November 6, with the annual Melbourne Cup meeting tipped to draw a big crowd.