Darren Hancock will bring plenty of thunder and lightning to the Aldebaran Park Bill Collins Trotters Sprint at Tabcorp Park Melton on Saturday night.
While Bolinda trainer Brent Lilley appears to hold the aces with last-start Derby Royale winner Maori Time drawn to lead in gate two over her pet trip (1720m), and the big daddy of Australian trotting Keystone Del lining up in barrier seven, Hancock will have no qualms dictating terms with classy Sydneysider On Thunder Road from gate five.
While it’s unlikely the front will be up for grabs, Hancock will ensure Saturday night’s Group 1 is truly run.
“I can sit outside and keep her pretty honest,” he said. “I’ll be making sure it’s a genuinely run race that’s for sure. (On Thunder Road) is a good stayer. If he found the front they wouldn’t beat him, but he’ll just keep going from the breeze.”
The Pheasants Nest based trainer has scored back-to-back wins with the seven-year-old gelding at Menangle, On Thunder Road taking out a Group 2 3009m standing start on October 30 and a free-for-all over a mile on November 5 in 1:57.3.
Anthony Butt will have decisions to make aboard Keystone Del from the wide draw, but if they run along up front he should be suited as he does possess a booming finish.
The up-and-comer at this level could be last-start Yarra Valley Trot Cup winner The Boss Man, who should lob beautifully from barrier three and off a hot pace looms as a knockout threat for Junortoun trainer Scott Dyer.
Asked how he thought the map might play out, Hancock said: “I don’t think (Keystone Del) he’ll go forward, but obviously I don’t know, and I’ll certainly be staying in front of him if I can”.
But take one thing to the bank, Hancock is confident.
“I am. I know how good they are. Keystone Del is a champion and Maori Time won well last start and she’s a good miler. But we’ll be keeping them honest and I’m confident with where mine is at.”
On Thunder Road’s travelling buddy El Major will also be chasing feature race success in the Group 2 Casey Classic over 2240m from barrier eight.
A winner at Menangle two runs back, the four-year-old entire will benefit from the peg-line draw.
“He’s going good at the moment and he should get a nice trip from there and run a good race,” Hancock said.
Saturday night’s Melton meeting will also feature the Grand Final of the TAB Great Trots Tipoff, with TAB’s Nick Quinn and HRV’s John Dunne hosting a live event in the Toolern Room.
HRV social media channels will cover the Grand Final, where tipsters will be battling it out for $5000.
The confirmed Grand Final line-up will consist of tipsters ‘Armsofaraff’, ‘Showgrounds’, ‘BallaratBertie’, ‘Vandyk’, ‘Burglar’, ‘David81’ and ‘Aliasunavailable’.
There will also be several TAB voucher giveaways via the second chance barrel for punters having a wager in the Toolern Room and Eynesbury Golf vouchers also up for grabs.
The night will also feature the 2016 HRV Media Awards and the ‘Legends’ function, which will see trots and AFL greats congregating for a night at the trots.
To book email bwalker@tabcorppark.com.au or phone Bianca Walker on 8746 0626.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
