Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
A dashing victory by Paul Edward in the 1730m Catalano Truck And Equipment Fabrication And Repairs Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night enhanced his prospects of gaining a start in the $200,000 Golden Nugget next Friday night.
“This sprint race was a nice little hit-out for the Nugget,” said Serpentine trainer-reinsman Dylan Egerton-Green after Paul Edward, the $1.50 favourite, had set a brisk pace and scored an easy victory over Burghley Shard, rating 1.54.2, with final quarters of 27.8sec. and 28.5sec.
“Paul Edward was nominated but didn’t get a start in the Four-Year-Old Classic and Four-Year-Old Championship, but tonight he showed that he would be a worthy runner in the Nugget.
“The 2536m of the Nugget will suit him. And even though he led tonight I consider his best asset is as a sit-kick runner.
“Paul Edward was unlucky when unplaced at his previous two starts when he began from unfavourable draws and raced on the pegs and was unable to gain a clear run in the final lap.”
Paul Edward is a versatile pacer who has raced 45 times for nine wins, 16 seconds, five thirds and $123,033 in stakes. He is the ninth foal out of Golden Greek mare Like A Dame and he is a talented half-brother of former brilliant pacer David Hercules, who amassed $1,263,159 in prizemoney from 39 wins and 35 placings from 108 starts.
David Hercules finished fourth behind Dasher VC in the 2010 Golden Nugget, and among his big-race triumphs was his victory in the 2015 Fremantle Cup.