05 October 2017 | Ken Casellas
In-form reinsman Shannon Suvaljko will be busy at Gloucester Park on Friday night with drives in eight of the ten events. He declares Foxy Dame the best of his drives and astute punters are sure to share his enthusiasm.
Foxy Dame, trained at Henley Brook by Mike Reed, has drawn the prized No. 1 barrier in the 2130m TABtouch Inter Dominion Grand Final December 8 Pace and Suvaljko is aiming for an all-the-way victory.
“I think she is a really good chance,” he declared. “She’s a good horse in front or sitting. Her latest run was full of merit; she hit the line charging. From the draw on Friday night I think we will definitely hold up and control the race in which a few of her main rivals haven’t drawn particularly well. She’s the one to beat.
“At her latest start (last Friday night) she was in a good field and I sat four back on the rails and she got out only late. The final quarter was run in 27.7sec. and I got out only half-way down the straight and she really charged the line and finished fifth, just over a length from the winner Abraxas Blues.
Foxy Dame ended a losing sequence of 18 two starts before that when she raced wide early and then without cover for a while before obtaining the one-out, one-back trail and then finishing strongly to win from Sea Me Smile and Donegal Rundlescreek.
Mighty Major, trained at Jandabup by Ryan Cummins, has place prospects from the No. 2 barrier, despite being unplaced at his past 14 starts and boasting a losing sequence of 18. “His numerical form does not indicate the way he is going,” said reinsman Michael Grantham. “He’s going well and, hopefully, I can save him up for that last little bit.”
Another with each-way prospects is Shes Artful, who will start from barrier three. Wundowie trainer Bruce Stanley has engaged Chris Voak to handle the five-year-old mare who has an all-the-way winner over 2130m three starts ago.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
