02 August 2018 | Ken Casellas
“He can do it again,” declared trainer-reinsman Kyle Harper when assessing the prospects of Saleahs Comand in the $25,000 Kerry Clarke Westbred final for four and five-year-olds at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
That was Harper’s verdict when queried whether Saleahs Comand was capable of defeating the better-performed Lord Willoughby in the 2130m event.
Saleahs Comand was a 40-1 outsider when he began speedily from barrier four and sped to the front after 120m before setting a solid pace and winning a qualifying heat from Kasey John, Tradie and Lord Willoughby last Saturday week. Lord Willoughby, a 10-9 chance, started from the No. 2 barrier and was unable to match Saleahs Comand’s early speed. He worked hard in the breeze and finished five lengths from Saleahs Comand.
Saleahs Comand entered Harper’s East Martin stables just over five months ago and the five-year-old has thrived under Harper’s care, winning at three of his five starts for him.
Lord Willoughby, to be driven by Shannon Suvaljko for Oakford trainer Ross Olivieri, will start from the No. 4 barrier on the front line in Friday night’s race, with Saleahs Comand at barrier six.
“Saleahs Comand beat Lord Willoughby the last time we met,” said Harper. “We crossed him and won and I guess he can do it again. Saleahs Comand is at his best when leading, but he can also sit and kick and has won races after sitting. He’s my best chance on Friday night, with stablemate Thereugo starting from the outside of the back line.”
Thereugo, who is a brilliant frontrunner, faces a tough task from the back line. A winner at 15 of his 36 starts, Thereugo will be driven by Harper’s elder brother Donald.
Olivieri is confident that Lord Willoughby can turn the tables on Saleahs Comand and return to the winning list. The four-year-old was having his first start for a month when a last-start fourth behind Saleahs Comand. He has been wonderfully consistent this season, with his 24 starts producing nine wins, nine seconds and four thirds.
Lord Willoughby is an M3-class performer with a superior record over his 11 rivals. Kasey John has an M2 assessment and Kerrin Joseph is an M1-class pacer, with the remainder of the field all on an M0 mark.
Chris Voak gave punters a valuable lead when he chose to drive Kasey John in preference to Anvil Rollover and Rocknroll Beachboy. Voak was impressed with Kasey John’s strong finishing effort when a head second to Saleahs Comand last Saturday week.
Kasey John, an all-the-way winner over New World Order and Always Arjay two starts ago, will start from barrier two on the back line and is capable of fighting out the finish.
Anvil Rollover, trained at Pinjarra by Russell Eddy, has been driven by Voak at five of his seven wins. The grey gelding is perfectly drawn at the No. 1 barrier on the front line and will be driven by Colin Brown. Rocknroll Beachboy, trained by Terry Ferguson, was driven by Voak when he worked hard in the breeze and won from Bravo Tex over 2100m at Bunbury two starts ago, will be handled from barrier two by master reinsman Chris Lewis.
Kasey John is prepared by Michael Brennan, who will also be represented by The Kings Assassin, who will be driven by Gary Hall Jnr from out wide at barrier eight. The Kings Assassin has won in good style at Bunbury at his past two outings and will have plenty of admirers.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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