Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Ravenswood trainer-driver Jocelyn Young was convinced that New Zealand-bred five-year-old Cut N Run had snatched a last-stride victory in a 1730m event last Friday night.
However, the photo finish revealed that the pacemaker Post Game had held on to score by a half-head.
“I was sure he had won,” said Young. “And he was very unlucky (after trailing the leader). If he had been able to get out a bit earlier, he would’ve given it a shake.
“The plan from barrier one this week (in the 2130m Sunday Times Pace) is to lead, and if he holds up and leads, he should be winning.”
Cut N Run, a winner of two races in New Zealand and three in New South Wales, has raced 13 times in WA for two wins and five seconds. He led from the No. 1 barrier and won by a neck from Mr Chip at a 1.58.8 rate last July.
Young has an excellent second string in Friday night’s event, with Rocknroll Elliot to be driven by Kyle Symington from the No. 2 barrier. Rocknroll Elliot covered a lot of extra ground when a good third behind Post Game and Cut N Run last Friday night. He raced without cover when second to Sugar Apple two starts before that.
Medieval Man, trained by Kiara Davies, warmed up for this event in fine style with a smart victory as a $26.40 outsider in a 2130m event at Gloucester Park on Tuesday evening. He was driven aggressively by Stuart McDonald from the outside barrier.
Medieval Man settled down at the rear before McDonald seized the initiative by dashing him forward ion the first lap to race in the breeze before getting to the front 300m from home.
McDonald has opted to travel to Albany to drive in all eight events there, and Gary Hall Jnr will handle Medieval Man at Gloucester Park.
Five-year-old New Zealand-bred mare Lady Prima Donna, trained by Greg and Skye Bond, and to be driven by Deni Roberts, will make her first appearance at Gloucester Park after being placed at her first two Australian starts, at Bunbury and Pinjarra earlier this month. She will start from barrier seven and should figure in the finish.