Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Astute trainer Kim Prentice has Soho Santorini racing in peak form, and reinsman Mitch Miller is confident that the five-year-old will turn the tables on the speedy four-year-old Hotly Pursued in the 2130m Perth Now Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
“Before the barrier draw, I was hoping that Soho Santorini would draw inside Hotly Pursued,” said Miller.
Miller’s prayers were answered when Soho Santorini drew barrier No. 2, with the Murray Lindau-trained Hotly Pursued drawing barrier five. Hotly Pursued, driven by Kyle Harper, led from barrier three and won from Soho Santorini, who started from the inside of the back line and fought on from three back on the pegs to finish second in a 2185m race at Pinjarra on Monday this week.
That completed a winning hat-trick for Hotly Pursued, who was resuming after a two-month absence.
“Our Shelley Beach ran a good race when third behind Lucca last Friday week (when racing in the breeze) and should go well from the No. 1 barrier,” said Miller.
“Soho Santorini has never been going better, and even if Our Shelley Beach wants to lead, I’d be happy to sit outside of him and be a very good winning chance.
“I think Soho Santorini has the gate speed to beat out Hotly Pursued, and he is racing full of confidence. If he is not in front, I’d rather be in the breeze.”
Shannon Suvaljko, who drives Our Shelley Beach for Henley Brook trainer Mike Reed, said: “He is ready to win, but this is a hot field. His latest run was unbelievable for a horse who has never been suited to racing in the breeze.”
Suvaljko also has excellent prospects with All Is Well (Nights Of Thunder), Rascal (Up Late Pace) and Water Lou (Sunrise Pace).
Rascal, trained by Katja Warwick, reappeared after a four-month absence at Gloucester Park last Friday night when he impressed with his fourth placing behind Thomson Bay over 1730m. He was restrained from barrier six and raced in sixth position on the pegs before being blocked for a run until late, when he finished strongly on the inside.
“Rascal gets his chance this week (from the No. 1 barrier),” said Suvaljko. “He should lead from Showpony (barrier two) and is a different horse in front.”
Brilliant filly Water Lou, who is prepared by Reed, has won at eight of her eleven starts and she looks a certainty from the No. 1 barrier in the final event on the nine-race program.
Water Lou has not raced since she led from barrier five and won from Ubeen Thundastruck six weeks ago. Suvaljko said lack of recent racing was not a problem.
“Races for which she has been nominated have been deleted because of insufficient numbers,” explained Suvaljko. “She hasn’t missed a day of work, and the stable tells me how good she has been working, so she will be hard to beat.
“Luci Kane (barrier three) has a bit of gate speed, but Water Lou flies out and I don’t think that filly will be able to cross us.”
Luci Kane, to be driven by Deni Roberts for veteran trainer Kevin Keys, dashed to the front from out wide at barrier seven before setting the pace and winning easily over 1177m at Pinjarra on Thursday of last week.