Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Lightly-raced five-year-old Opal Hunter will reappear after a beneficial spell when he begins from the No. 6 barrier in the Barbagallo Aston Martin Pace over 2130m at Gloucester Park on Friday night, and his trainer-reinsman Robbie Williams predicts a successful campaign for the WA-bred gelding, who has won at eight of his 21 starts.
“We would have liked a better draw, but he will run well,” said Williams. “He is a quality horse and though he will be a bit big first-up, he will go well. He trained off at the end of his last preparation, and after a break he has come back very well.
“He took a long time to mature, and now, fingers crossed, he will progress and at some stage should work right through the grades.”
Opal Hunter’s chief rivals on Friday night look to be A Little Silence, Hunger Strike and Luvbite.
A Little Silence, trained by Gary Hall Snr and driven by Gary Hall Jnr, will begin from the No. 2 barrier on the back line, with Hall Jnr declaring the inexperienced New Zealand-bred five-year-old as his best winning prospect on the ten-event program.
A Little Bit Of Silence impressed when he was eighth and last at the bell and sprinted home fast to finish second to Luvbite over 2130m last Friday night.
Luvbite, to be driven by Emily Suvaljko for trainer Michael Young, made a successful WA debut when he worked hard in the breeze before getting to the front leaving the back straight. He covered the final quarters in 27.8sec. and 28.7sec. and ended a losing sequence of 31.
“Luvbite was really good last week when he got out of the gate very good,” said Suvaljjko. “So, I will look at putting him into it (early) and he should be a good chance.”
Deni Roberts will drive Hunger Strike for trainer Nathan Turvey, and she is confident the four-year-old mare and the youngest runner in the race, will be prominent. “This is a lot easier race than what she has been up against at her recent starts,” said Roberts.
Hunger Strike, whose 45 starts have produced nine wins and 19 placings, will start from the No. 5 barrier.
Williams will also be producing Mysta Moon Walker for a first-up run from the inside of the back line in the 2130m Barbagallo Ferrari Pace.
“This is a good draw first-up (after a five-month absence) and he will probably need the run,” said Williams. “But it is not an over-strong field; his work has been good, and if he gets the splits, he will be thereabouts.”