Gauci finishes in front on Be True

Darren Gauci farewelled the western districts with a winner at Terang on Thursday.

Be True was his last provincial winner capping a mega-successful career going back to his first as a rookie apprentice at Bairnsdale in April 1982.

Gauci took advantage of an inside gate for a front-running victory in the Twaddle Catering Maiden (1000m) at Terang.  “I rang Darren’s manager and said she was a good chance,” trainer Andrew Campbell revealed.  “Her form didn’t read that way but we added pacifiers and ear-muffs and that’s helped.”

Be True had been unplaced in three starts during a winter prep last year and was backed from $31 into $14 first-up on Thursday.  “She’s still learning the trade,” Gauci said.  “She chopped and changed stride but then responded and lengthened nicely in the straight.”

Be True is by Keep The Faith and is the first and final foal of Steely Choice (Choisir).  The mare originally changed hands for $35,000 at the 2006 Magic Millions National Foal Sale and had won at Warrnambool and Seymour for a syndicate including Campbell and his father Don.

Keep The Faith (Sunday Silence) has sired the winners of 34 races for earnings over $582,512 this season from his base at Greta West Stud.