Ken Casellas | Photo: Hamilton Content Creators
“The quicker they go, he goes with them,” said Byford owner-trainer Trevor Wright when declaring that veteran pacer Cordero had the fortitude to contest his second race in the space of four days.
The WA-bred seven-year-old will line up on the prized No. 1 barrier in the $20,375 Media Guild Leading Tipster Wayne Currall Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night — after his brilliant eye-catching performance on Tuesday evening when he started from the outside barrier (No. 9) and charged home from last at the bell to score a thrilling victory in a 2130m event.
Cordero is a seasoned Free-For-All runner who has contested Group 1 and Group 2 events in the past couple of years, and he is well suited in Friday night’s 2536m event in which he will clash with former star pacer Handsandwheels and the talented James Butt.
“He seems to rise to the occasion when he’s up against the better horses,” said Wright. “This was one of his better runs (on Tuesday night) when he sat four and five deep for the final 600m and rated 1.56.3.
“He doesn’t mind racing twice in a week, and it looks like he’s pulled up quite good. Regarding tactics, we have led with him only once (when he won from Naval Aviator over 2536m on December 13 last year). I think we will take the sit behind James Butt (barrier No. 2), and, hopefully, he gets a clear run.
“I’m not desperate for him to lead, but I will leave it up to Deni (Roberts), who goes really good with the horse.”
Roberts, who said that Cordero loves racing over 2500m, has yet to determine her tactics. Cordero has won three times and been placed nine times over 2536m, and he boasts a record of 92 starts for 11 wins, 24 placings and $134,030 in prizemoney.
Two starts ago, in a $30,000 Free-For-All, Coredero raced in sixth position, three back on the pegs, before sprinting home strongly to finish third behind Sangue Reale and Glenledi Chief. He beat home horses of the calibre Vampiro, Wildwest, Lavra Joe, Prince Of Pleasure and Ragazzo Mach. He also gave a sample of his ability in March of last year when he finished third behind Mighty Ronaldo and Vultan Tin in the Bunbury Cup.
Chris Voak, who trains and drives James Butt, said: “He worked very well this morning (Tuesday) and will run a good race. I don’t mind leading or sitting with him, he’s good from either position.”