Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
A slight edge in experience should pave the way for promising two-year-old filly Livy Ann to gain a first-up victory in the $21,000 Christmas In July Pace over 1730m at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
“She has grown and matured a bit following her first campaign in January and February,” said her trainer and driver Dylan Egerton-Green.
“She has a bit of racing experience, and she has done a fair bit in her races, and I expect her to run a solid race, first-up.”
Livy Ann, who will start from the No. 4 barrier, showed plenty of promise with two seconds and two thirds from her four outings early in the year.
“The hardest for her to beat appear to be Drop The Ace and Crunchnsip, from better draws,” said Egerton-Green. Drop The Ace, to be driven by Kyle Symington for trainer Shane Quadrio, is favourably drawn at the No. 2 barrier.
Drop The Ace reappeared after a spell with a neck second to Lady Mermaid over 1730m on Tuesday of last week. She led early from barrier three before taking the sit behind Lady Mermaid.
Lady Mermaid, to be driven by Liam Elliott for trainer Ryan Bell, should be improved by her first-up victory but is likely to be tested from the outside barrier in the field of seven.
“She is a handy little filly, but it looks hard from the outside barrier,” said Bell. “She gets a bit lost when she’s out in front, and I prefer her when she is sat up.”
Leading trainers Greg and Skye Bond will be looking for strong efforts from Crunchnsip (barrier three) and Cinch (barrier five), with Deni Roberts opting to drive Crunchnsip. Stuart McDonald will handle Cinch.
Crunchnsip made a sound debut when she raced in the one-out, one-back position and finished third behind Lady Mermaid and Drop The Ace.
Cinch raced three times in February and March for fourths at Pinjarra and Gloucester Park and a fighting half-head win over Wheres My Halo at Gloucester Park.
“Crunchnsip is a little bit green, but she should improve on her third on debut,” said Roberts. “Cinch has come back really good and is pacing a lot better. Both have equal chances, I’d say. Their work at home has been similar.”