Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Smart four-year-old Rockmyster will reappear after a seven-week absence when he begins from barrier three in the $30,000 Restricted Spring Feature Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night, and trainer-reinsman Dylan Egerton-Green predicts a forward showing from the New Zealand-bred gelding who has won at eight of his 26 starts.
Rockmyster’s form declined with three unplaced efforts in July and August, and Egerton-Green then decided to give him a break.
“I had a few problems with him and tipped him out for a bit before bringing him back — and his work has been really good,” said Egerton-Green. “So, I suggest he will run a good, forward race. I think he is a great chance.”
Rockmyster is sure to receive stiff opposition from Lusaka and Star Casino, with back-line runners Azterian and My Little Big Man in good form and capable of figuring in the finish.
Lusaka, to be driven by Deni Roberts for trainers Greg and Skye Bond, is the only three-year-old in the race. He has showed great promise, with his 13 starts producing nine wins, two seconds and a third placing.
Lusaka, who will start from barrier four, raced wide in the middle stages and then in the breeze when an excellent second to the classy El Casanova over 2130m last Friday week when having his second start after a spell.
“He has come back awesome,” said Roberts.
Mt Helena trainer Ray Wiliams has engaged Gary Hall Jnr to drive the New Zealand-bred four-year-old Star Casino, who will be racing at Gloucester Park for the first time. His first three Australian starts have resulted in two wins at Northam followed by his head second to Fess Up over 2185m at Pinjarra on Monday this week.
Roberts has chosen to drive the polemarker Thenu Came Along in preference to the two-year-old’s Bond-trained stablemate Thelittle Master in the final event, the Epona Mares Earn $10K Credit Pace over 2130m.
Egerton-Green will drive Thelittle Master, who will start from the outside barrier in the field of seven and is sure to prove very hard to beat after his outstanding performance to finish third behind Vegas Strip in the group 1 Golden Slipper last Friday night.
Thenu Came Along notched his third win from eleven stats when he set the pace and beat stablemate Golden Lode over 2130m on Tuesday of last week.