Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Caliente is Spanish for hot — and the inexperienced five-year-old by the name of Caliente is a hot tip to send punters home in a happy mood by winning the final event, the 2130m Hello 2024 Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Caliente is favourably drawn at barrier two and his trainer Chris Voak will be anxious to take an early lead and dictate the terms of the race.
Drawn on his inside at barrier No. 1 is Illawong Mustang, who began from barrier six and dashed to the front after 220m last Friday night before quickly surrendering the lead to the favourite Adda Spoilt Major.
Illawong Mustang battled on to finish a well-beaten fifth behind Mighthavtime. He is trained by Dylan Egerton-Green, who has chosen to drive stablemate Bellezza Nera (barrier six). Illawong Mustang, a veteran of 92 starts (for ten wins) will be driven for the first time by Gary Hall Jnr. Egerton-Green drove Bellezza Nera to victory six starts ago.
Caliente has raced only twelve times for four wins and six placings. His eight rivals have had a total of 732 starts (for 71 wins), an average of 91 starts.
Caliente warmed up for Friday night’s assignment with a smart win in a 2116m stand at Pinjarra on Monday of last week when he was checked and broke for a few strides at the start. He then led briefly before sitting behind the pacemaker Skippys Delight for the next 450m and then regaining the lead and sprinting over the final 400m sections in 27.5se. and 29.8sec. and winning by a half-length from Franco Mecca.
Voak will also have many admirers when he drives Taking The Miki for trainer Jemma Hayman in the SEFS Pace over 2130m on Friday night.
Taking the Miki is a talented four-year-old mare who will start from the inside of the back line and should be storming home at the business end of the race. She is overdue for another win after being unlucky when blocked for a run in several recent outings.
Taking the Miki’s toughest rival appears certain to be the Katja Warwick-trained All Is Well, a winner at nine of his 30 starts who will be having his third start after a spell.
All Is Well will be driven by Chris Lewis from barrier two. He caught the eye last Friday night when he was last in the field of twelve with a lap to travel before finishing strongly to be third behind Crowd Control and Rock Artist.