by Greg Hayes
This is it – the final round of the 2017 World Driving Championship at Charlottetown on Prince Edward Island. There are four heats up for decision, it will be eight runners off the front row with three runners on the second line. While most of the racing during the week has been over the mile, it is back to 1-1/16M tonight (1700 metres). Most importantly the track is a half mile so it should ensure plenty of exciting action.
The meeting will be conducted on Friday night in Canada and will be telecast live on Sky Racing on Saturday morning. Race broadcaster Sugar Doyle has passed on his thoughts for each WDC event, concentrating on the chances of Australian representative Shane Graham. (All times shown are AEST)
Heat 19 – Race 3 at Charlottetown – Shane Graham will drive Formidable from barrier 7. (Saturday 9:50am on SKY)
Sugar says if Bjorn Goop is holding down a top 5 spot going into this final night – he can win it all… He’s drawn the very best horses to finish with a huge night – beware of this Swedish Driving Legend! FORMIDABLE does get some class relief, but will still have to overcome an outside post. I’ll give the 5YO daughter of Jeremes Jet a shot at a top 3 finish if Graham can find a decent trip for her… Thinking she’s best coming from off the pace against these. *Other likely threats include 3 R Es Nancy (Dexter Dunn NZ), 5 Jinglewriter (Bjorn Goop SWE) & 8 Maudail Mac (Marcus Miller USA).
Heat 20 – Race 5 at Charlottetown – Shane Graham will drive Dilans Mustang from barrier 4. (Saturday 10:30am on SKY)
Sugar says DILANS MUSTANG is winless in 2017, but will face easier competition this time out. That being said – Bjorn Goop could be sitting behind the biggest threat with #2 ELM GROVE KAPTAIN. If you like to play the Exacta – use Graham and Goop boxed up for the top 2 positions. *Others to think about are 7 Mr Pogge (Rik Depuydt BEL) & 10 Caughtfoolinaround (Mika Forss FIN).
Heat 21 – Race 7 at Charlottetown – Shane Graham will drive Quick Mad from barrier 11. (Saturday 11:10am on SKY)
Sugar says QUICK MAD hasn’t shown much in his last 2 outings, but he is capable of going with these – he just needs to find his ‘A’ game. You should expect a big price on Graham’s mount, here, but again it’s Bjorn Goop with the huge threat in #3 MYBROTHERGEORGE. *The 1 Pick N Scoop (Jackson MacDonald CAN), 2 Royal Putnam (Marcus Miller USA) & 6 Kennairn Fame (Dexter Dunn NZ) can also factor here.
Heat 22 – Race 10 at Charlottetown – Shane Graham will drive Beach Fighter from barrier 6. (Saturday 12:10pm on SKY)
Sugar says BEACH FIGHTER has seen better days, as this 13YO son of Jennas Beach Boy winds down his racing career. He does show well when racing up close and covered up, but from this outside post – it’s a lot to ask for this old campaigner to step up against this group. *It’s the most wide open event of this Final WDC Leg, but I like the chances for 1 Bowyer Hanover (Gerhard Mayr AUT), 3 Twin B Shadow (Marcus Miller USA), 7 Artners in Crime (Eirik Hoitomt NOR) & 9 Instant Shadow (James MacDonald CAN).
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