Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
New Zealand-bred three-year-old Cotton On is the youngest and least experienced runner in the $50,000 San Simeon Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night when he is sure to test his older rivals.
The gelding, who is prepared by champion trainers Greg and Skye Bond, has won at eight of his twelve starts and he warmed up for Friday night’s assignment in convincing fashion with a spirited performance in a 1684m sprint at Pinjarra on Monday.
He began from barrier five and raced four wide early before Deni Roberts restrained him back to last in the field of nine. Roberts sent him forward with 750m to travel and he sustained a strong three-wide burst to finish a close third behind Me Flash and Eton Rock when he dashed over the final quarters in 26.94sec. and 27.86sec.
“Cotton On’s run at Pinjarra was good and he ran a pretty good time,” said Mrs Bond. “He got home reasonably quick and was still running on.”
Cotton On will begin from the coveted No. 1 barrier and Roberts will be keen to take advantage of the draw by setting the pace in the 2130m feature event.
Gary Hall Jnr has given punters a valuable lead by choosing to drive the Nathan Turvey-trained four-year-old mare Rocknroll Lass in preference to last-start winner October Reign and the smart four-year-old gelding High Price.
Rocknroll Lass notched her ninth win from 35 starts when Hall drove her to an all-the-way victory from barrier one at Gloucester Park three Mondays ago. She ran home strongly a fortnight earlier when she finished second to Cyclone Charlotte., and two starts before that she led and won easily from Cyclone Charlotte over 2185m at Pinjarra.
Hall drove the five-year-old October Reign to an impressive victory over Lucky Galleon last Friday night when the gelding was ninth at the bell and fifth with 100m to travel. Trainer Michael Young has engaged Maddison Brown to drive October Reign on Friday night when the gelding will start from barrier three.
Trainer Gary Hall Snr has engaged Stuart McDonald to drive High Price, a winner at seven of his 28 starts, from the awkward draw at barrier seven.
Lucky Galleon, who trailed the pacemaker You Fly With Me before finishing determinedly to be a close second to October Reign last week, faces a tougher test this week from out wide at barrier eight.