Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
New Zealand-bred seven-year-old Mr Fantastic has been somewhat of a gay deceiver during his 51-start career, but trainer Ryan Bell believes the gelding has turned the corner and is capable of a bold first-up effort when he begins from the No. 1 barrier in the Don’t Think Just Nova Pace over 2130m at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
“He is a serious horse who has had a few issues,” explained Bell, who will be driving the pacer for the first time in a race.
“He is working brilliantly, and I reckon he will lead and take some catching.”
Mr Fantastic is a noted frontrunner, with his most recent four wins having been when he has set the pace in races at Gloucester Park. This will be his first appearance since he raced against formidable opposition, including Pinny Tiger, Swingband, Ima Fivestar General, Otis and Blitzembye, when he was a $51 outsider who worked hard in the breeze and finished third behind Dalvey Robyn and Swingband.
Also racing first-up for Bell in Friday night’s race is Machs Bettor, who will be driven by Liam Elliott from barrier four. “He will probably need the run, but he is forward enough to win if he gets a cosy trip,” said bell.
In an even field Mr Fantastic’s most serious rivals appear to be Im Lightning Banner, Quinton and Louie Dior.
Four-year-old Im Lightning Banner has impressed with eight wins and five placings from 21 starts, and he is favourably drawn at barrier two on the back line for trainer-reinsman Dylan Egerton-Green.
Im Lightning Banner resumed after a spell last Friday week when he raced wide early to move to the breeze before gaining a good sit in the one-out, one-back position. This was his first outing for five months and he faded to finish seventh behind No Noney in a strong field.
“He had to do a bit too much to get to the breeze, and this week from his handy barrier he shouldn’t have to do too much and should get home good,” said a confident Egerton-Green. “He has trained on well since his first-up run.”
Four-year-old Quinton, to be driven by Shannon Suvaljko for trainer Mike Reed, is racing consistently and should be prominent after starting from the inside of the back line, immediately Mr Fantastic.