Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Collie reinsman Trent Wheeler is driving in superb form, and he is looking forward to setting the pace and winning the 2130m Pegasus And Milne Feeds Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night with the speedy five-year-old Rockandrollartist.
He jumped at the opportunity to drive Rockandrollartist for Capel trainer Aiden De Campo, who will be in New South Wales to attend a wedding on the weekend.
Wheeler has enjoyed a happy association with Rockandrollartist, having driven the gelding several times for owner-breeder Adrian Shanks when he (Shanks) trained the pacer in Albany. Wheeler has driven Rockandrollartist for three wins — two in Albany and one at Northam.
“Rockandrollartist has a lot of gate speed, so I’ll be going forward (from barrier five) at the start,” said Wheeler, who will have a busy night on Friday, with drives in nine of the ten events, including four for the De Campo stable.
Rockandrollartist, who has had 48 starts for nine wins and 14 placings, entered De Campo’s stables about six weeks ago, and De Campo has driven him at his past four starts for a first-up fourth in the Wagin Cup followed by all-the-way victories at Pinjarra (twice) and Gloucester Park.
Wheeler is also looking for a strong performance from the Karen Young-trained Jill Mach, who will start from barrier two on the front line in the Go First Class With Ramsay’s Horse Transport Handicap, a stand over 2503m.
Jill Mach, an eight-year-old and experienced standing-start performer, is a good frontrunner as well as being a capable sit-sprinter. She has a losing sequence of 28 but her recent efforts have been encouraging.
Jill Mach led early and then trailed the pacemaker Carana before fighting on gamely along the sprint lane when third to that pacer over 2631m at Pinjarra on Monday afternoon. That was her fourth placing from her past five starts.
“She has been stepping good, and I will try to lead with her and see what transpires,” said Wheeler.
Carana, to be driven by Deni Roberts for trainers Greg and Skye Bond, is the obvious danger. He will start from the outside of the 10m line and Roberts will be seeking a smooth getaway.
Carana began perfectly from the 20m mark at Pinjarra on Monday when he did well to resist spirited challenges from Idealingold on his way to beating that pacer by a head. “He is a lot better following horses out (in stands), and as long as I can time it, he should get away quite well,” said Roberts.