by Ken Casellas
Unheralded former New South Wales pacer Extreme Prince will make his West Australian debut for star trainer Gary Hall sen. in the $18,500 $7 Pints At JP’s Sports Bar Pace at Gloucester Park on Thursday night when he appears to face a stern test from out wide at barrier eight on the front line of the 1730m event.
The New Zealand-bred gelding has managed five wins and three placings from 17 starts in very moderate company and has earned just $21,716.
However, a study of his performances in NSW reveal that he possesses dazzling gate speed and it will come as no surprise if Gary Hall jun. uses this valuable attribute from the wide draw this week.
Extreme Prince warmed up for his first West Australian appearance when he finished a sound one-length second to Braeview Bomber (1.57) in a ten-horse field in a 2150m trial at Byford on Sunday morning.
He was a 66/1 outsider at his most recent outing when he started from the back line, raced at the rear and hit a wheel and broke in the final lap before finishing last behind Parramatta over 2125m at Penrith on November 10 last year.
Two starts before that he began from the No. 6 barrier and showed dazzling speed to burst to the front after 40m in a 1609m sprint at Menangle. He sped over the first 400m section in 26.7sec. before relaxing with a 31.2sec. second quarter. Then he dashed over the final sections in 28.2sec. and 27.2sec. and was driven out hard in the home straight to hold on and win from Come Cullect in a time of 1.53.3.
He also revealed sizzling gate speed when he won three races in succession (two over 2125m and one over 1720m) at Penrith in August/September last year. He led from barriers three, five and six in those three events.
Polemarker Three Kings is a good frontrunner and is capable of showing up, despite being unplaced at each of his past seven starts. Alfs Odyssey is a last-start winner, but he faces a tough test from out wide at the No. 9 barrier. Khun Ratha’s recent efforts have been sound and he must come under serious consideration.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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