Ken Casellas | Photo: Hamilton Content Creators
Trainer Michael Young and reinsman Gary Hall Jnr are a formidable combination, and though Pecunious finished fourth, nine lengths behind talented gelding Thelittle Master over 2185m at Pinjarra on Monday afternoon they agree that the filly is capable of a bold showing when she starts from barrier four in the 2130m The Thirsty Vet Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
At Pinjarra, Pecunious, at her second race start, raced three back on the pegs and was outclassed by Thelittle Master, who sped over the final quarters in 27.4sec. and 27.8sec.
“Those times were out of her reach, but she also ran a good last half (28.2sec. and 28.3sec.),” said Hall.
That run came ten days after her debut when she raced in sixth position before fighting on to be second, three lengths behind Aldo Cortopassi’s speedy filly Bazaar Package over 2130m at Gloucester Park.
“She is going all right,” said Hall. “She just has trouble picking up the bit when she needs to.”
Young is looking for further improvement from Pecunious. “She goes pretty nicely; she is still learning and is on the way up,” he said.
Young and Hall are also confident of a strong performance from Lamandier, who will start from the outside of the front line in the Toby Taylor Handicap, a stand over 2503m.
Lamandier galloped at the start and did well to finish strongly from the rear to win a 2631m stand at Pinjarra on Monday afternoon.
“He went really good, and driven the same, sit-kick, he is a winning chance again,” said Young. Hall’s comment was: “He’s in with a chance if he can get away.”
Another good prospect for the dynamic duo is Miss Serenade, who will begin from the prized No. 1 barrier in the opening event, the 1730m Amy and Jack Pace. Miss Serenade resumed after a four-month absence when she began from the outside of the back line, raced three back on the pegs and finished seventh behind Nullarbor Navajo last Friday week.
Baskerville trainer Ryan Bell will be looking for strong efforts from brilliant stablemates Swingband (race two; barrier one) and Shockwave (outside barrier in the field of seven in race six).