Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Astute Baskerville trainer Ryan Bell is not fazed by the unfavourable barrier drawn by Whataretheodds, and he is optimistic that the lightly-raced five-year-old can overcome the distinct disadvantage of the outside barrier (No. 9) on the front line and win the $30,000 Westside Auto Service Vehicle Detailing Pace over 2130m at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Whataretheodds has resumed racing after a seven-month absence in splendid form, with seconds to Velocipede and Codename Marcus followed by a smart all-the-way victory from the No. 1 barrier over 2130m last Friday night when he began from the prized No. 1 barrier.
“Regardless of the draw, I think Whataretheodds has a very good chance,” said Bell. “The draw hurts but he will go well. It’s a good field and it looks like there will be a bit of pace on, which will suit him.
Whataretheodds, whose 22 starts have produced seven wins, seven seconds and one third, will be driven for the first time by Trent Wheeler, who replaces Aiden De Campo, who was successful with the gelding last week. De Campo will handle Magnus Victor, a speedy four-year-old he trains at Capel.
Magnus Victor has won at 12 of his 41 starts and will have many admirers, despite drawing out wide at barrier eight. “He is going well, but has drawn poorly,” said De Campo.
All Is Well, trained by Katja Warwick and to be driven by Chris Lewis, is a smart four-year-old who looks set to run a big race after starting from the outside (barrier three) on the back line at his second appearance after a let-up.
All Is Well impressed first-up last Friday week when he began from the No. 8 barrier and was ninth and last at the bell before surging home to finish third behind Lusaka and Machs Bettor. That was his first appearance since finishing second to the brilliant Never Ending in the $100,000 Westbred Classic for four-year-olds on April 12.
Paul Edward, trained and driven by Dylan Egerton-Green, should prove to be hard to beat after drawing the favourable No. 2 barrier. The five-year-old ran on from sixth at the bell to finish a sound fourth behind Lusaka last Friday week. He is generally recognised as a sit-sprinter, with only three of his ten wins coming after setting the pace.
Banjup trainer Colin Brown has two runners, the polemarker Loucid Dreams and Arma Xfactor, who will begin from out wide at barrier seven. Brown’s daughter Maddison has elected to drive Arma Xfactor, a winner at 13 of his 49 starts, and Deni Roberts has been engaged for Loucid Dreams, who ran home strongly to win from Major Jay over 2190m at Northam last Tuesday week.
Henley Brook trainer Mike Reed said he expected a strong showing from Dardy Boy, who will begin from barrier five with leading reinsman Shannon Suvaljko in the sulky.
Dardy Boy reappeared after a seven-month absence when he finished an unlucky fifth behind Loucid Dreams at Northam. “Shannon reckoned that if Dardy Boy had got clear he would have won,” said Reed. “If he can slot in somewhere on Friday night, they’ll know he’s there.”