16 February 2023 | Tim Walker
In-form driver Deni Roberts is enjoying the added pressure attached to driving several headline horses for the Greg and Skye Bond stable.
Roberts has regularly stepped up to become the Bond stable’s go to driver in the past month, after Ryan Warwick announced he would scale back his driving commitments after the WA Pacing Cup.
Roberts, who sits equal second for wins in the Metropolitan area this year, said she had started to get adjusted to the new role.
“It’s a bit of a step up,” Roberts told TABradio.
“I’ve been given a really good opportunity and I’m trying to take advantage of it.
“I’ve always had second and third stringers and they’ve been nice horses.
“To drive the ones I am at the moment, I’ve never driven these before.”
Roberts will be out to continue her strong run of form in tomorrow night’s Lord Mayor’s Cup (2130m) at Gloucester Park, where she teams up with Patrouns Star.
The six-year-old was an impressive winner of the Media Guild Cup (2130m) earlier this month and comes up against a similar field tomorrow night.
Patronus Star will start from barrier 10 in the $50,000 feature, with Hampton Banner ahead of him in barrier one.
Roberts said she was confident Patronus Star could continue his winning ways.
“It’s the perfect draw for him.
“As you saw last start, if it falls into place for him, he’s just so quick and can get over the top of them.
“He just needs that right run, which from the 10 it looks like he’s going to get.
“I’m super happy with him and he will go into tomorrow night pretty forward.”
Patronus Star is the $4.20 second favourite with TABtouch, with Hampton Banner the $3 favourite.
Meanwhile, Roberts predicted the Bond’s recent stable acquisition Steel The Show would progress to Free-For-All company, following his WA debut on Tuesday night.
The six-year-old was never troubled in the APG Perth Yearling Sale March 5 Pace (2130m) and Roberts said she was excited by the gelding’s performance.
“I was a little bit speechless when I came back in,” she said.
“He’s that professional little racehorse.
“He just feels like he will definitely be the all-round horse and will definitely be in the Free-For-All ranks.”
Roberts is a WA ambassador for the 2023 Team Teal campaign, which you can donate to here.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
