GLOUCESTER, ON — When Barry and Debbie Bird and Cyril Hayes decided Goose Creek was worth more than $40,000 last fall, they took a calculated risk that the colt would live up to the potential he had shown as a youngster. Heading into Sunday’s $130,000 Gold Final at Rideau Carleton Raceway, elimination winner Goose Creek is among the favourites to claim the main prize and the gamble appears to have paid off.

“We chose him for the (yearling) sale because he was the better looking of our two colts, and we were a little disappointed in the price, so Cyril and ourselves decided to buy him back,” recalls Debbie Bird. “Ken Ewen wanted to go in with us, so that’s how the partnership started.”

Barry Bird already had a stable full of horses in training so Burlington resident Hayes suggested they offer the colt to trainer David Menary. The partners agreed and Goose Creek began what would be a rapid progression through his early lessons.

“Dave put a lot of miles on him. He took his time with him because the colt showed he had speed early,” says Bird. “Dave’s done very well with him.”

Caledon resident Menary debuted the son of Camluck in a qualifier at Mohawk Racetrack on June 3 and Goose Creek made a break at the half, but then laid down a :27.4 last quarter to finish fourth in 2:02.2. Back in qualifying action at Mohawk on June 10 the young pacer delivered a flawless win in 1:59.4 before heading to Georgian Downs for the June 17 Gold Series season opener where he finished fourth in a 1:55 mile.

Only the top two colts from each elimination advanced to the June 24 Gold Final, but Goose Creek captured the consolation event with an impressive front end effort that saw him hit the wire in 1:56. On July 2 the two-year-old pacing colts moved their Gold Series show to Mohawk Racetrack and Goose Creek posted a second victory — halting the teletimer at 1:54 — in his elimination and then claimed the third-place finisher’s share of the $130,000 Gold Final purse one week later.

Last Sunday the freshman colts arrived at Rideau Carleton Raceway and, in spite of a head pole that came loose, Goose Creek picked up his third win in five starts with a 1:54.4 effort. The colt and regular driver Mike Saftic will attempt to make it four wins from Post 4 in Sunday’s tenth race.

“The colt’s just progressed very well. He doesn’t seem to have the same attitude on the racetrack as the mare did, which is very nice,” says the Harwood resident. “He seems to get better with each start. I hope he does well Sunday, but there are a lot of really good two-year-old colts this year.”

The Birds bred and raised Goose Creek’s mother, Jacks Creek, who earned $187,077 in a cantankerous racing career. In spite of her success the daughter of Life Sign and Sutter Creek has often been overshadowed by her half-sister, Hayser Creek, who not only earned $75,000 more on the racetrack, but produced $2.8 million winner Boulder Creek in her first year in the breeding shed.

“We’ve had good luck with that family,” says Bird. “Garth Gordon picked out Sutter Creek for us, so we owe our success to Garth.”

While the Bird’s, Hayes and Georgetown resident Ewen are hoping for continued success with Goose Creek, Debbie Bird says she and Barry will be cheering the colt on from home this week.

“This Sunday is our grandson’s second birthday, so I think we’ll be home watching him on the dish,” she explains. “Our grandson comes first and the horses second.”

Rideau Carleton Raceway’s first race goes postward at 7:20 pm on Sunday and the two-year-old pacing colts will battle for the Gold Final crown in Race 10.

For complete entries please go to:

http://www.standardbredcanada.ca/entries/data/eridcfsu.html#N10