by Ken Casellas
Up and coming five-year-old Shandale is unbeaten at his two outings over 1730m and reinsman Shannon Suvaljko is confident the New Zealand-bred gelding can maintain his grand form in sprints by winning the $22,000 Book Your Harness Racing Travel World Interdominion Package Now Pace over 1730m at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Shandale, trained at Henley Brook by Mike Reed, chalked up his 12th win from 39 starts when he worked hard, three wide early and then in the breeze, before beating the pacemaker Mach Time over 2130m last Friday night.
He steps up in class when he begins from barrier four on the front line on Friday night, but Suvaljko declared that the gelding, who is being set for the TABtouch Inter Dominion championship series in November and December, will maintain a steady rate of improvement.
“He’ll be hard and fit for 1730m; he’s a gross horse and he will continue to improve,” he said. “He’s on the way up and is definitely an Inters contender.
“At his first-up run two starts ago, he drew wide in a good field over 2536m. So, we drove him back (in the field) and nothing hit the line better than him (in coming from 12th at the bell and finishing seventh behind Jambiani).
“Then, last week, in an easier field, we put him in the race and he showed his class (racing three wide early and then without cover) before winning from Mach Time. I think he’s definitely the one to beat this week.
“Before he went out for a spell early in May he rated 1.53.8 when he raced in the breeze and won from Eyre Crusher over 1730m. I reckon he wasn’t going as good then as he is now. On Friday night, I’ll be happy to sit outside Ideal Tyson if he holds the lead from the inside barrier. We won’t be handing up to anything.
“I’m not sure whether Ideal Tyson will be able to hold the lead. I think that Courage Tells (barrier two) or Dredlock Rockstar (No. 3) are capable of crossing to the front.”
Aiden De Campo will again drive Ideal Tyson for trainer Gary Elson and he said that he would be keen to win the start and then set the pace with the powerful five-year-old.
“The barrier certainly helps him in this class and, hopefully, he’s got enough speed to hold up,” De Campo said. “And if he leads, he’ll give a good show. His latest run, when three back on the fence before running on to be third to Shandale last week, was probably his best run in this prep.
“Ideal Tyson is a big, tough rolling horse and nothing will out-tough him if he’s in front. I consider that the only way he can be beaten is if something crosses him early.”
Champion trainer Gary Hall Snr has a strong hand in Friday night’s race in which he will be represented by American Boy, Norvic Nightowl and Ideal Alice. Star reinsman Gary Hall Jnr will drive Ideal Alice from the outside barrier (No. 9), Lauren Jones will handle American Boy and Stuart McDonald will drive Norvic Nightowl.
Hall Snr is keen on the prospects of Ideal Alice, the only mare in the race, and declares her an good each-way prospect.
American Boy and Norvic Nightowl are each resuming after a spell, but are capable of a bold first-up showing. “American Boy is going well and will be a chance,” said Hall Snr. “Norvic Nightowl has not raced for 15 months. He has recovered from a bowed tendon and probably will need the run.”
Ideal Alice certainly looms as a major player. Her recent form is outstanding. She ran on strongly from last at the bell in a field of six to finish an excellent third behind Run Oneover and Our Jimmy Johnstone over 2130m last Friday night. That followed a win and two placings from her three previous outings.
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