With the state’s best pacer Avonnova chasing the Inter Dominion prize this weekend, several others have their eye on the local prize.
The Listed $25,000 Lord Mayors Cup at Albion Park is the feature event and a quality field has been assembled including the classy duo from the stables of Shannon Price and Scott Miller.
The husband and wife combination prepare Caesars Folly and American Legend and both will be heavily fancied to claim the prize after boasting excellent recent form.
Caesars Folly returns from a Sydney campaign while American Legend enters the event as a last start winner after coming from last with his trademark finishing burst.
“Both the Lord Mayors and Christmas Cups have been on our radar for some time and knowing that Ian (Gurney) is away with his trio (Avonnova, Our Hi Jinx & Mach Alert) for the Inter Dominion in Perth, we thought we had a good chance of picking up one or hopefully both races.” Miller said.
Both horses have proven to be perennial performers at Albion Park and just recently, Caesars Folly was beaten narrowly in the Grand Circuit opener of the season with his neck second behind Our Hi Jinx in the Gr.1 $200,000 Queensland Pacing Championship on October 24.
Caesars Folly went winless in his two start Menangle mission last month finishing 7th behind Freyburg before backing up the following week when 4th behind Lochinver.
Connections were left disappointed.
“There were no excuses for him in either start down there, he went down in perfect order and off a really good run in the QPC but he simply didn’t fire. If we pinpoint one issue during his campaign, it was during that heatwave and he was feeling it but that’s something every horse had to deal with.
“Since being back home in his normal environment he seems like his old self and we’re expecting a good showing from him, his record at the track is very good, it’s a massive class drop for him and he should end up with a good trip from his trailing draw.
“American Legend continues to step up and his two runs this campaign have been excellent; he was up against a pace bias first up but his sectionals were brilliant coming out of his latest victory. He’ll probably drift back from that awkward draw but he only needs some luck to be very dangerous in this race. I don’t think either horse will far from the action.”
Both horses will back-up next week in the Listed $25,000 Christmas Cup.
The stable also have an excellent chance in the feature trot this weekend, the $12,000 Statewide Taxation Trotters Christmas Cup with former Victorian Drunken Maniac looming as a major force.
Since relocating north, Drunken Maniac has been placed in all six starts at Albion Park including his close third on Tuesday behind Jarvsofaks, a rival again this weekend.
“He’s a consistent trotter with a great will and he’s been a nice addition to the stable, he’s actually on the market for sale and would be a great boost to any stable.” Miller said.
Drunken Maniac meets in-form trotters Releven Dream, Tyron Lochie, Sharons Millicent and Goldstar Invasion in the 2138m stand-start feature.
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