A ninth and a tenth at his past two starts is hardly a strong recommendation for a pacer starting out wide at barrier eight in a race at Gloucester Park.
But Galactic Star looks set to bounce back to winning form in race nine, an $18,500 M0 event on Friday night, when he should enjoy a dramatic drop in class.
The New Zealand-bred four-year-old trained by Greg and Skye Bond did not threaten danger when ninth behind Chicago Bull in the group 1 McInerney Ford Classic on November 25 and then was always well back before being blocked for a clear passage in the closing stages when tenth behind Soho Tribeca in the group 1 Golden Nugget Championship last Friday night.
He appears to have a considerable edge in class over his eight rivals on Friday night and Ryan Warwick is likely to drive the Bettors Delight gelding aggressively as the best horse in the race.
Galactic Star has built up an impressive record of 11 wins and eight placings from only 24 starts and has a bright future. His chief rivals on Friday night could be Ultimate Major and Americanbootscoota.
Ultimate Major, trained at Capel by Andrew de Campo, was an impressive winner in a 2503m stand at Bunbury on Saturday night. He settled in sixth position before dashing to the front after about 700m and he sped over the final quarters in 27.5sec. and 28.5sec. to win in good style from stablemate Sky Art. That was his 11th win from 39 starts. He is certainly a realistic hope on Friday night, despite starting from the outside barrier in a field of nine.
Americanbootscoota, a four-year-old to be driven by Brayden Green for Boyanup trainer Dennis Roche, has been unplaced at his past three starts. But he is a stylish, freewheeling frontrunner who could set a brisk pace and take plenty of catching.
He started from barrier four on the back line and settled at the rear in the Williams Cup on Sunday before he dashed forward, three wide, to be third at the bell. However, he faded and finished eighth, ten lengths behind the winner Scoobys Delight.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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