VICTORIAN star Philadelphia Man has become a bit of a forgotten horse in the Perth Inter Dominion.
Two defeats in Queensland last month have seen drop off the big hunk of a pacer as a major Inter Dominion player.
But trainer Emma Stewart has warned the doubters to think twice.
“We wouldn’t swap him for any other horse in this series,” she said.
“I’ve got no doubt he’s as good as any of them, Lennytheshark included.
“When we’ve got this guy right, he can do it all. He’s so versatile.”
But will Philadelphia Man be right when the Inter Dominion starts at Gloucester Park next Friday night?
“We’re confident we’ve got him back,” Stewart said.
“He jarred-up at the second of his Queensland runs and, looking back, where we trained him from up there didn’t suit him.
“Mick Munro took our three horses across (to Perth) last Sunday and tells us all of them have settled and worked well since.”
Stewart said after Queensland, careful consideration went into finding the right place to base Philadelphia Man in Western Australia.
“We landed on Robbie Tomlinson’s place in Pinjarra. He’s got a deep sand track which is a lot closer to what Philadelphia Man is used to at home,” she said.
Stewart said Philadelphia Man and his two stablemates, star mares Bersari and Whereibylong, would all trial at Bunbury on Saturday.
“It’s great to be able to give them a trial before they all have their first race over there next Friday,” she said.
Philadelphia Man is a $8 equal second favourite with Waylade in latest Aussie TAB markets. Lennytheshark is the firming $3.50 top elect.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing