St Lads Moonwalk prevailed in his local debut on Saturday night at Saratoga Casino Hotel as the Jackie Rousse trainee went coast to coast in the evening’s Open Pace.

St Lads Moonwalk joined the Rousse stable a few weeks ago and following a win and a third-place finish at Vernon Downs took part in the $18,000 Open at the Spa over a sloppy track on Saturday.

The three-year-old son of Mach Three marched out to the early lead and after posting honest first half fractions of :27 and :56.1 felt pressure for the first time as he paced towards three quarters. St Lads Moonwalk held off the late surge from pocket sitter RU Ready To Rock (Jay Randall) before stopping the timer in 1:52.2. RU Ready To Rock was the runner-up while longshot Sassy Hanover (Billy Dobson) finished third.

St Lads Moonwalk is the third Rousse trainee to win the Open Pace this year at Saratoga joining stablemates Artful Way and Titus Seelster. St Lads Moonwalk returned $11.20 to win in the mild upset with leading driver Frank Coppola, Jr. in the sulky.

Live racing continues on Sunday afternoon with a matinee beginning at 12:15 p.m.

(Saratoga Casino Hotel)