Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
New Zealand-bred Hi Suga Rush has managed just one win from his past 17 starts, but ace trainer-reinsman Chris Voak is bubbling with confidence that the gelding is on the doorstep of a profitable career.
“He has gone to a whole new level and is airborne at the moment,” said Voak, who is planning to go forward from the No.7 barrier in the opening event, the 2130m Retravision.com.au Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
“I think he will get to the front and prove too fast for the opposition. I reckon he would have won the Nullarbor Consolation (Parliamentarians Cup) last Friday night, but he hit a wheel, broke and finished a distant last, 219m behind the winner Alta Tribute.”
Hi Suga Rush was in third last place in the back straight in the final circuit but was travelling powerfully when he wrecked his chances by hitting a sulky wheel of Eldaytona and breaking into a gallop with about 470m to travel.
“His previous run was very good when he finished fourth behind Soho Shakedown over 2185m at Pinjarra,” said Voak. “He raced one-out and two-back and went three deep with 800m to go. Soho Shakedown rated 1.55.1.”
Looming as a major threat to Hi Suga Rush is the Aiden De Campo-trained and driven four-year-old Last Hard Copy, who will begin from the outside of the back line.
Last Hard Copy, a winner at nine of his 20 starts, was most impressive last Friday night when he led for the first 220m and then trailed the pacemaker Mad Monday before finishing strongly to be a one metre second to that smart pacer in the Group 2 Preux Chevalier Classic for four-year-olds.
“Last Hard Copy is racing very well and if he gets a bit of luck, he will be right in it at the finish,” said De Campo. “This is a big class dropper, and his three runs this time in have been good.”
Voak is also bullish about the chances of My Silver Spoon, who will begin from the 10m mark in the 2503m Retravision Click’N’ Collect Handicap.
“With a safe beginning he should be able to work to the lead and prove hard to catch,” said Voak. Luvbite and Chase Me, who share the 20m mark with last-start winner Getn Wiggy Withit, appear to be My Silver Spoon’s toughest rivals.