Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Outstanding driver Deni Roberts, fresh from a double on Tuesday evening, will have a big following on Friday night when she has a drive in all ten events at Gloucester Park.
Although she gives Mighty Conqueror, Steel The Show and Captainshavtime excellent winning prospects she had no hesitation in declaring Aardiebytheseaside as her best drive.
“She is a classy mare and I’m excited to have her back,” said Roberts.
Aardiebytheseaside, a New Zealand-bred four-year-old, will be having her first start for eleven weeks when she begins from an awkward draw at barrier six in the $27,000 Rotary Club Of Fremantle Free-For-All for fillies and mares over 2130m.
Aardiebytheseaside, who is prepared by leading trainers Greg and Skye Bond, has been most impressive in winning at her first two appearances in Western Australia, beating the brilliant Steno in the 2536m Group 2 Empress Stakes on April 19 and then beating Acharne Girl and Nullarbor Navajo in the Group 3 Breeders Stakes on May 3 before going for a spell.
Aardiebytheseaside has the raw ability to prove too strong for talented and in-form mares Three Rumours (outside barrier in the field of seven) and Little Darling (barrier two). Also in the field are Aardiebytheseaside’s stablemate Sista Sammy, smart four-year-old Soho Seraphine and speedy mares Sovrana and Blaze Coops.
Three Rumours, to be driven by Emily Suvaljko for trainer Nathan Turvey, is tough and in excellent form, having worked hard in the breeze at her past three starts for two wins and a half-head second to Acharne Girl.
Little Darling, to be driven by Chris Lewis for trainer Barry Howlett, is in fine form and she impressed last Friday night when after an unsuccessful challenge for the early lead she gained a good sit in the one-out, one-back position before finishing strongly to be second to Penny Black over 2130m.
Sista Sammy, a lightly-raced six-year-old who has had 21 starts for six wins and nine placings, will be reappearing after a three-month absence when she begins from the prized No. 1 barrier.
Captainshavtime will make her Australian debut when she begins from barrier No.6 in the 2130m Rotary Ending Polio Pace for two-year-old fillies. She has raced three times in New Zealand for a win and a third placing in April this year.
“Her New Zealand form is pretty good, and she gives me a good feel at home,” said Roberts. “I think I’ll learn more about her on Friday.”
Captainshavtime will race against her WA-bred stablemates and last-start winners Twilight Tango and Crunchee.
Trent Wheeler has been engaged to handle Twilight Tango from barrier two. Roberts drove Twilight Tango when she set the pace and beat her fast-finishing stablemate Belly Up over 2130m at Gloucester Park on Tuesday night.
Stuart McDonald will drive Crunchee from the No. 5 barrier. Crunchee was a first-up winner when she raced without cover for Roberts and defeated Twilight Tango over 2185m at Pinjarra on Monday of last week.
Trainer Mike Reed is looking for a strong showing from Ruby Lou, who will start from the outside in the field of seven with Shannon Suvaljo in the sulky.
Ruby Lou notched her third win from nine starts when set the pace from barrier five and beat Jaxs Ideal over 1730m at Gloucester Park last Friday week.
“She’s got a chance,” said Suvaljko. “She is working well and will improve on her latest run. She can go forward or sit back and run home.”