Ken Casellas | Photo: Hamilton Content Creators
Smart four-year-old Paul Edward was surprisingly beaten when a $1.24 favourite in a 2185m event at Pinjarra last Monday week, but Serpentine trainer-reinsman Dylan Egerton-Green is confident he will make amends and return to the winning list when he begins from the prized No. 1 barrier in the 7News Pace over 1730m at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Paul Edward set the pace from barrier two and dashed over the final three quarters in 28.8sec., 28.6sec. and 27.8sec. and was beaten by a short half-head by the fast-finishing Miss Sassy at Pinjarra.
“He was racing first-up for four weeks,” explained Egerton-Green. “He ran a solid last 1200m and just got nutted by a horse who is going really well. The 1730m will suit him, even though leading has never been his best asset. However, I’ll be keen to lead over the sprint trip. He led and won as a two-year-old (in October 2021) and he led and won over 2130m in January this year.”
Love On The Rocks appeals as Paul Edward’s most serious rival. He worked hard without cover when third behind Seeryanfly and My Little Big Man in a 2503m stand last Friday night when making his Australian debut. He will be tested from out wide at barrier seven over the sprint journey.
Egerton-Green is also looking forward to driving Patronus Star in the $31,000 Streamer.com Past Presidents Cup over 2130m. Patronus Star, trained by Greg and Skye Bond, will start from barrier five and his clash with stablemate Tenzing Bromac, Prince Of Pleasure and the speedy Pinny Tiger should be a highlight on the 11-event program.
Deni Roberts will be anxious to take full advantage of the No. 1 barrier by attempting to hold the lead with Tenzing Bromac against fast beginners Prince Of Pleasure (barrier two) and Pinny Tiger (barrier three).
Tenzing Bromac is racing in wonderful form and is sure to prove hard to beat, while Prince Of Pleasure appears best suited by leading, which he has done in winning over 2130m at his past two starts.
“They might run it hard, and that would suit Prince Of Pleasure,” said trainer Gary Hall Snr.