WITH A shock of blonde hair and a smile as wide as you'll see, it's always a joyous moment to see Parkes trainer-driver William Cassell cross the line first at the Parkes Harness Racing Club.
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While no crowds could attend last Friday's meeting, Cassell was as pumped as ever in the gig of four-year-old gelding Gotta Kick ($41) when he won the Tab Long May We Play Pace.
Both Cassell and Gotta Kick have been in strong form of late, with Cassell winning three and placing twice in his past 10 drives at the Bathurst and Parkes tracks.
Gotta Kick, who was previously in Bernie Hewitt's Bathurst stable, has won two of his last three starts in Parkes, with the other a strong third behind subsequent winner Williewa Lightning.
Friday's victory might have been the best of the lot though, with Cassell stuck with the horror draw in 10, but finishing powerfully to win at massive odds in 2:01.6 ahead of fellow Parkes runner Watch and Weep ($15), who was half a length behind.
To go from the tail of the field to take it up to the leader from three-wide was a brilliant display of driving from the rising star, but even more impressive has been the development his gelding has shown.
Cassell reckons he is appropriately named, given his little quirks.
"That's why they named him Gotta Kick I think, he has a bit of spunk about him," he said after the race.
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Cassell explained that he has changed the way he approaches the Roll With Joe x Dipped in Gold gelding's training - and boy is it paying off.
"He is going really good at the moment, we've figured him out now.
"We've been training him a bit different and he's a lot happier," said Cassell.
Cassell showed his Parkes patriotism when asked what the secret to his recent success was, saying how pleased he was to be able to race more at his home track.
"Been having a bit of success, I really do like the little tracks - Bathurst is too even for my liking!
"So it's good they're racing more here now, and I'm over the moon to be able to race more at my home track," Cassell said.
Gotta Kick has had quite the interesting career journey, with 39 career starts netting five wins since early in 2019, but it's fair to say he is in as good a form as ever - and loyal punters were rewarded handsomely after he drifted out to $41 after opening at $31 on Friday.
Parkes will host another Friday night meeting this week, with eight races on the card.
Unfortunately punters can still not attend as yet.
It was transferred to the club after Eugowra sadly could not hold their Canola Cup due to COVID-19 restrictions.
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