Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
A strong finishing burst by Magnus Victor to be placed in fast time in a 2185m event at Pinjarra on Monday of last week has prompted the four-year-old gelding’s trainer-reinsman Aiden De Campo to suggest he has excellent winning prospects in the opening event, the 2130m TABtouch Place A Same Race Multi Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Magnus Victor was racing first-up for 12 weeks when Ajay Markham drove him from barrier four at Pinjarra and brought him home with a spirited burst from sixth at the bell to finish third behind Rocknroll Elliot in the race in which the final three quarters were run in 28.6sec., 28.4sec. and 27.1sec.
“It was a very good first-up run and Magnus Victor made up ground when they came home in fast time,” said De Campo. “It’s an awkward draw (No. 6) on Friday night but he drops a little in grade, so we will see where we get to.”
Magnus Victor, a winner at 12 of his 43 starts, is expected to receive stiff opposition from the polemarker Sugar Shake and Major Jay, who will start from the No. 2 barrier.
Five-year-old Sugar Shake, who will be making his first appearance at Gloucester Park, is trained by Barry Howlett and will be driven by Chris Lewis. A winner at four of his nine starts on country tracks, is sure to appreciate the prized No. 1 barrier.
He has been freshened up since he ran on from sixth at the bell to finish an excellent sixth behind Im Lightning Banner and Grevis over 2185m at Pinjarra.
Major Jay is a three-year-old trained by Nathan Turvey and driven by Emily Suvaljko who will be taking on older and more experienced pacers, is ideally drawn at barrier two and must come under serious consideration.
After being placed at three of his seven New Zealand starts, Major Jay has had eleven starts in WA for four wins. His three runs at Gloucester Park have produced a win, a second and a third placing.
“Major Jay goes good, but the penny hasn’t dropped yet,” said Turvey. “I would like to be able to lead, and I’m sure he will run a good race.”
De Campo said he was confident that the David Young-trained gelding The Wildcard would fight out the finish of the TABtouch Past the Post Payouts Handicap in which the five-year-old would start off the front line and have a 20-metre advantage over the brilliant four-year-old Im The Black Flash.
“The Wildcard was super at Pinjarra on Monday of last week when he flew the tapes and won,” he said. If he does so again and is able to lead, he will be hard to beat.”
Shannon Suvaljko said he expected the Mike Reed-trained Dark Eyes to lead from barrier two and prove hard to beat in the TABtouch Scan My Bet Pace. “His third behind Alta Tribute last Friday night was good,” he said.
“His stablemate Flying Rumour is flying and looks the hardest to beat.” Flying Rumour will start from out wide at barrier No. 8 and will be driven by Michael Tenardi.
Reinsman Ryan Bell is confident that Louie Dior is capable of making amends for his last-start fifth behind Mister Smartee last Friday week by winning the TABtouch Restricted Spring Feature Pace, in which the Annie Belton-trained four-year-old will start from the No. 4 barrier.
“I was hemmed in the whole way in the final lap, and he acquitted himself well,” said Bell. “There is plenty of speed underneath him, and I’ll drive Louie Dior depending on how the race presents itself.”
Soho Bollinger, Vegas Strip, Rocket City and Soho Firestone are all capable of making life tough for Louie Dior.