Ken Casellas | Photo: Hamilton Content Creators
Talented young reinsman Kyle Symington has given punters an important lead by choosing to drive Mea Culpa in preference to The Code Breaker in the 2130m Channel Seven Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
He is the regular driver of the Ryan Bell-trained The Code Breaker, who has been placed at his past three starts. He also has a strong association with Mea Culpa, having driven the gelding for trainer Nathan Turvey at 14 of his 19 WA starts for six wins and six placings.
Symington has handled The Code Breaker at his most recent eleven starts for three wins and five placings.
Mea Culpa gave an outstanding performance last Friday night when he began out wide at barrier seven, raced wide early and then in the breeze before fighting on tigerishly to finish a half-head second to Ima Fivestar General after final 400m sections of 28.4sec. and 27.7sec.
“It’s a nice field; Mea Culpa has gate speed and a good draw (barrier one), and the plan will be to lead,” said Turvey, who will spend Friday evening in Wagin where he has been engaged to drive in all seven events.
The Code Breaker has had four starts in his current campaign, with his past three starts producing a second to Talks Up A Storm and thirds behind Dont Bother Me None and Jett Star. “We’re really happy with him and he should run a very good race,” said Bell, who has engaged Aiden De Campo to drive the six-year-old.
Symington will drive the Bell-trained Hillview Bondi from barrier one in the opening event, the 1730m Hamilton Content Creators Pace. Hillview Bondi has had three starts since resuming from a spell — for a first-up second to Goodfellaz, a fifth behind Wait For The Bell after racing in the breeze, and a half-head second to Arts Dash at Kellerberrin three Sundays ago.
“Hillview Bondi had a bit of a virus after his latest two starts, and we had to treat him for that,” said Bell. “He’s got a good barrier, but it’s not an easy race. There is a fair bit of speed outside of him, but I expect him to hold his own.
“If he performs in his usual racing style, he will be hard to beat, especially over a mile; that’s his pet distance.”
Carabao, trained and driven by Chris Voak, is sure to provide strong opposition to Hillview Bondi, with Voak saying: “He is as good as I can get him, and his work this morning (Tuesday) was sensational.
“I’d like to drive him when you take luck out of the equation. He was blocked for a run last week (when fourth behind Cheer The Major). It is not beyond him to sit in the breeze and win. It’s a tricky tactical race, whether to sit or breeze in the field of nine. I’m confident he will run a very good race.”