Exciting New Zealand-bred five-year-old Phoenix Warrior looks set to emerge as an early favourite for the $30,000 Kalgoorlie Cup on September 26 by winning the $20,000 South Perth Lions RLFC Pace over 2130m at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Trained at Forrestdale by Greg and Skye Bond, Western Australia’s leading trainers with 220 winners in the 2014-15 season, Phoenix Warrior, to be driven by Ryan Warwick, looks too strong for his rivals, despite starting out wide at barrier No. 7.
Phoenix Warrior put up a grand performance in the 2130m Schrader final last Friday night in finishing a close fourth behind Norvic Nightowl. He started from the outside of the back line and was seventh at the bell before charging home, out seven wide.
That followed a close, fighting second to Norvic Nightowl the previous Saturday night after working hard without cover all the way.
The Jeremes Jet gelding has raced superbly in his first preparation for the Bonds, with his 13 WA starts producing eight wins, two seconds and three fourths.
The Bonds have an excellent second string in Friday night’s race in Millwood Faith, who is ideally drawn at barrier one. The five-year-old mare has won at two of her past three starts and is the likely leader on Friday night. She led from barrier No. 1 and won from Typhoon Tan and Ideal Alice over 2130m three starts ago before finishing boldly from sixth at the bell to win from Flyin The Ointment over 2130m at her next appearance.
Flyin The Ointment, who finished strongly to be second to Little Boy Blue over 2692m at Pinjarra last Monday week, will have admirers from barrier six in Friday night’s race. She is trained by Mike Reed and will be driven by his son Mark, who will be resuming after serving a 14-day suspension.
Mark Reed gave punters a good lead by opting for Flyin The Ointment in preference to stablemate My Samantha Jane, who is ideally drawn at barrier two. My Samantha Jane, a winner at 12 of her 41 starts, will be driven by Clint Kimes.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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