Ken Casellas | Photo: Hamilton Content Creators
Ravenswood trainer Nathan Turvey is delighted with the form of Mea Culpa, a former Victorian performer who has won twice from his five WA starts.
Mea Culpa will start from barrier two on the back line in the 2130m Retravision Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night and will be driven by Kyle Symington.
“He went 1.54.7 last week when he sat in the breeze and finished a head second to Run For Mercy,” said Turvey. That performance followed his splendid victory at a 1.54 rate over 1684m at Pinjarra four days earlier when he raced four back on the pegs before finishing fast to win by a half-head from Cherishthememories.
“Everything went in his favour at Pinjarra, and then at Gloucester Park last Friday you wouldn’t say much went in his favour. His run was very good. From the backline he won’t be able to rely on his gate speed, but he is versatile,” said Turvey.
Lucky Galleon (barrier three on the back line) and Rocknroll Elliot (barrier six on the front line) appear among Mea Culpa’s most serious rivals.
Lucky Galleon, to be driven by Aldo Cortopassi for trainer Ray Williams, followed successive victories at Pinjarra with a solid third behind Pradason and Valentines Brook last Friday night. Trainer-driver Jocelyn Young is confident of a strong showing from Rocknroll Elliot, who raced five back on the pegs and was blocked for a clear run in the final stages when an unlucky fifth behind Strike Team three Fridays ago.
A week earlier Rocknroll Elliot raced wide early and then in the breeze before finishing an excellent second to Getn Wiggy Withit. “He worked very well today (Tuesday) and will probably work forward from barrier six on Friday night,” said Young. “There’s no point in going back, with the main chances on the back line.”
Young is also looking forward to driving Cherishthememories from the No. 4 barrier in the $26,000 Retravision Lowest Price Guarantee Pace for mares in which the Mach Three five-year-old’s clash with Nevermindthechaos should prove to be a highlight of the ten-event program.
Cherishthememories dashed to the front 1150m from home and withstood a spirited challenge from Nevermindthechaos before finishing a head second to the fast-finishing Star Of Diamonds over 2130m last Friday night.
“The plan this week will be to go forward in a bid to keep in front of Nevermindthechaos,” said Young. “If she doesn’t have to do as much as she did last week it would be helpful. She feels like she doesn’t really concentrate all that much. I don’t know if there is a little key to get her more switched on.”