Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Kyle Harper has given punters a valuable lead by choosing to drive Cee Dee Three in preference to Terror In Texas in the 2130m AGWA Building Maintenance Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Harper has driven the injury-plagued Terror In Texas at his two appearances last month after the talented nine-year-old reappeared following an absence of 23 months.
Terror In Texas, prepared by veteran South Fremantle trainer Keith Frost, was a sound first-up second to Whos the Dad over 2185m at Pinjarra on February 16 before he impressed in running home strongly from seventh at the bell to finish a close second to Louie Lebeau over 2130m at Gloucester Park the following week.
However, Harper has decided to stick with the Shane Tognolini-trained seven-year-old Cee Dee Three, an Auckland Reactor horse he has driven 16 times for three wins and six placings.
Cee Dee Three, who has raced only 20 times for four wins and eight placings, has raced keenly at his first three appearances since resuming from a spell.
He ran home solidly when a first-up fourth behind Spitfire; was then an unlucky fifth behind Reset The Bar; and at his latest appearance, over 2130m last Friday night, he began out wide at barrier No. 7, was restrained to the rear before running home determinedly from seventh at the bell to finish third behind Lincoln Lou and Beat The Bank when the final 400m sections were run in 27.5sec. and 28sec.
Cee Dee Three and Terror In Texas (who will be driven by Chris Lewis) are not likely to have things all their own way. They are expected to be challenged strongly by Sugar Shake (barrier seven) and Dourado (nine).
Sugar Shake, a lightly-raced seven-year-old, to be driven by Jocelyn Young for trainer Cameron Ross, reappeared after an absence of 15 months when he impressed greatly in finishing a half-head second to Reset The Bar over 2130m last Friday week.
Sugar Shake took the lead after 500m and set a brisk pace with final quarters of 29.8sec., 28.5sec. and 28.9sec. and was overhauled in the final stride.
Dourado, trained and driven by Aiden De Campo, is racing in fine style and is capable of overcoming the disadvantage of beginning from the outside barrier (No. 9) on the front line. He was eighth at the bell and was hampered for room until late when fourth behind Reset The Bar last Friday week.
Punters should go home happy, with the favourite Im Stealthy having strong winning claims in the final event, the 2130m Demolition Services Pace for three-year-olds. The Downbytheseaside gelding is prepared by Gary Hall Snr and will be driven by Gary Hall Jnr.
The New Zealand-bred Im Stealthy has been successful at three of his five starts, including an excellent first-up victory when he rated a smart 1.55.2 over 2185m at Pinjarra last Monday week when he defeated Proposition Joe by just under three lengths after setting the pace, with final quarters of 28.5sec., 28.4sec. and 27sec.
Leading trainers Greg and Skye Bond hold a strong hand in the race with four of the eight runners, Crunchnsip (Liam Elliott), Chugach (Kyle Symington), The Final Offer (Stuart McDonald) and In Rare Air (Deni Roberts). In Rare Air, racing first-up for just over three months, has had seven starts for two wins and four placings and looks Im Stealthy’s most serious rival.