Leading trainers Greg and Skye Bond look set to dominate the Little Creatures Pale Ale at JPs Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night, with Greg Bond leaning towards Burning ahead of Denny Crane.
“They’ll be in it up to their eyeballs,” Bond said. “Both pulled up well after their latest runs and I expect them to be right in the thick of things. Probably the front-line draw gives Burning the advantage over Denny Crane, who will start from the outside (barrier three) on the back line.
“Bob Mellsop’s horse Captain Under Fire goes good, so it won’t be a walk in the park. However, you can’t fault the form of Burning (three wins and three placings from his past six starts) and Denny Crane (three wins and a second at his four starts as a four-year-old).
“Denny Crane’s only defeat in this preparation was when he finished second to Burning at Pinjarra early last month. He had a good sit and couldn’t get over Burning, so that’s probably a bit of an indication.
“I think that Burning, on his recent form, would either be leading or racing outside the leader. I was really happy with the way he stuck on to finish third to Thats Rite last Friday night after racing in the breeze. They ran some time in that race and seeing M0s running 1.54 it is something we don’t see too often.
“Burning pulled up great and his work today (Tuesday) was good. If the race is run a bit silly, Denny Crane has the capacity to be right in it. He’s got a good turn of foot and is pretty tough. He’ll work into the race when the time’s right.
I expect both Burning and Denny Crane to win their share of city races. Burning will be driven on Friday night by Colin Brown, with Ryan Warwick in the sulky behind Denny Crane.
Captain Under Fire possesses sparkling gate speed and Mellsop is sure to be anxious to set the pace and give his rivals something to chase. Captain Under Fire led and rated 1.55.2 when he won easily over 1730m at Gloucester Park three starts ago.
Glenferrie Rustler is close to another win and is capable of a bold showing, despite drawing out wide at barrier eight on the front line. The Debbie Padberg-trained gelding ran home strongly from sixth at the bell when second to Thats Rite over 2130m last Friday night.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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