Ken Casellas | Photo: Hamilton Content Creators
Ace Capel trainer-reinsman Aiden De Campo has given punters a valuable lead by choosing to drive Pradason in preference to stablemate Rockstar rebel in the 21230m Trotsynd Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Both pacers are smart frontrunners, with De Campo opting to handle Pradason because of a more favourable barrier at No. 2, with Rockstar Rebel drawn at barrier five.
Pradason led and won at Bendigo, Ballarat and Terang before heading west where his wins in the State have included all-the-way efforts at Albany, Northam and Gloucester Park.
Pradason is expected to be involved in a spirited early battle for the lead with Dan Costello’s stout-hearted seven-year-old The Kraken, who will be driven by Mitch Miller from the prized No. 1 barrier.
Rockstar Rebel, who will be handled by Dylan Egerton-Green, has explosive gate speed, but he will be tested from the No. 5 barrier. In an open field, Pradason, the Kraken and Rockstar Rebel are sure to meet with plenty of opposition from Valentines Brook, Dont Bother Me None, Lucky Galleon, Manning and Withoutthetuh.
Valentines Brook, who is handily drawn at barrier two, has impressed with seconds at each of his three appearances after resuming from a spell; Manning is favourably drawn at barrier two on the back line; and Lucky Galleon has struck a purple patch for trainer Ray Williams and reinsman Aldo Cortopassi.
Manning, who entered Michael Young’s Mundijong stables after finishing a close second to Rockaball over 2130m last Friday week, is the winner of 15 races and $212,839 and will be handled by his regular driver Maddison Brown. He revealed typical fighting qualities after working hard without cover at his latest appearance.
Lucky Galleon has the ability to overcome the disadvantage of starting from the outside of the back line. He has given a fine example of his versatility in winning at Pinjarra at his past two starts.
He led from barrier one and sprinted over the final 400m in 27.1sec. in winning from Valentines Brook over 2692m three Mondays ago. And then a fortnight later he settled down in tenth position in a 2185m event and was ninth at the bell before starting a fast move 600m from home and taking the lead on the home turn and winning from Twobob Cracker, rating 1.57.1.