Ken Casellas | Photo: Hamilton Content Creators
New Zealand-bred six-year-old Henrik Larsson has been affected by hoof problems for much of his career, and he will be an interesting runner in the Caduceus Club Committee Pace over 2130m at Gloucester Park on Friday night when racing first-up after a six-month absence.
Trainer Luke Edwards said that Henrik Larsson was “round about the mark” and was ready to perform well. “Number eleven (barrier two on the back line) is a good draw, and this looks a suitable race,” he said.
“Early in 2021 he had really bad feet, so we bit the bullet and cut his off-side fore hoof right back. He then grew a whole new hoof.” He was out of action for seven months and then had nine starts in 2021 and 13 starts last year.
“He had a trial at Pinjarra five weeks ago (when fourth behind Athabscan in a field of five) and then had feet trouble after the trial. We weren’t happy with him and now he has a different set-up with new shoes designed to take pressure off his heels.
“I try to make sure he stays off the track as much as possible and he works at Ascot Racecourse where he is ridden by Campbell McCallum and works with the thoroughbreds in their pacework.
“He had a hit-out at Wanneroo last Saturday, and that was the first time he had the hopples on since his trial at Pinjarra.” Gary Hall Jnr will drive Henrik Larsson on Friday night in a race in which there is not much exposed form.
Hengheng (inside of the back line) and Suing You (barrier three) are likely to be popular with punters, while four-year-old Dardy Boy has sound prospects at his first appearance for eight months. Dardy Boy, to be driven by Shannon Suvaljko for trainer Stephen Reed, is a capable frontrunner.
Outstanding young reinsman Kyle Symington should send punters home on a winning note by driving Heez A Vibe to victory in the final event, the 1730m AFL Pregame Functions At Bridge Bar Pace for two-year-olds.
Heez A Vibe, trained by Ryan Bell, revealed excellent gate speed and then defied a strong early challenge for the lead from Worlds Above before setting the pace and winning from Chief Copy and Worlds Above over 1780m at Northam last Saturday night.
“I think he should be able to hold his form in this race,” said Symington, who also gives Valentines Brook a good each-way chance in the Happy 101st Birthday George Franklin Pace.
Valentines Brook finished tenth behind Diego in the Pinjarra Cup on Monday after winning at each of his five previous outings. “That was a big step up in grade, and I think he can bounce back and run a good race on Friday night. The Cup run will do him the world of good.”
Valentines Brook’s chief rival appears certain to be the polemarker Dont Bother Me None, who has worked hard in the breeze before winning easily at his past two starts at Gloucester Park.