Ken Casellas | Photo: Hamilton Content Creators
Punters will have to wait until the final event at Gloucester Park on Friday night to watch the first appearance at headquarters of New Zealand-bred four-year-old Sweet Pins, who gives every indication of developing into an outstanding pacer.
This will be the horse’s second career start — after a brilliant debut victory when he rated 1.56.5 in beating Ebee Aviator by seven lengths over 1684m at Pinjarra on July 1 last year.
He is trained by Gary Hall Snr and is driven by Gary Hall Jnr, and he reappeared after a 12-month absence when he contested a six-horse Byford trial over 2150m last Saturday.
He was most impressive, settling down in last position in the Indian file trial before being eased off the pegs 1200m from home, dashing to the front soon afterwards and racing away with final 400m sections of 29.3sec. and 28.5sec. to win by eight and a half lengths from Balingup Boy.
Sweet Pins will begin from the No. 3 barrier on the front line in Friday night’s Smooth FM On Digital Radio Pace and should burst to an early lead before leaving his ten rivals in his wake.
The Hall camp should win the previous event, the $25,000 Ricki-Lee, Tim and Joel Pace over 2130m, with the highly promising New Zealand-bred three-year-old Chase Me, who will start from barrier six.
Chase Me has not been extended in winning at his first two appearances in WA, both over 2130m at Gloucester Park — after his six New Zealand starts produced three wins and three placings.
Serpentine trainer Dylan Egerton-Green holds a strong hand in the $23,000 Fresh Hits And Throwbacks On Nova Pace over 2130m with three smart mares Grand Couteau, Rebline and Nase Vira.
He has given punters a valuable lead by deciding to drive Nase Vira, who will begin from the outside of the back line, while Deni Roberts will partner Grand Couteau (barrier four), and Ryan Warwick will drive Rebline from the inside of the back line.
Nase Vira resumed after a six-month absence last Friday night when she caught the eye, coming from eighth at the bell with a sparkling late burst to finish fifth behind Heavenly Gipsy (who rated 1.55.6 after a final 800m of 57.1sec.).
Grand Couteau made a splendid return to action last Friday week after a 13-month injury enforced absence when Egerton-Green drove her to an all-the way win, rating 1.57.6 over 2130m.
“She is capable of winning again,” said Egerton-Green, but I have decided to drive Nase Vira. I like her and have driven her in all of her races (for seven wins and four placings from 22 starts).”