By Tayler Strong
Highview Illusion, late working clear when beaten a nose in the heat last week, could prevail in the $10,000 final of the Stunin Cullen sprint series at Forbury Park on Friday night.
Highview Illusion raced three back on the inner over 1200m last week, then flashed home behind Melina Lowe, who had trailed the leader, Bettordean. Highview Illusion, having his second start back from a break, had started from barrier three. He has drawn two this week with Bettordean positioned to lead again from one. Dexter Dunn has the drive on the Graeme Anderson-trained Highview Illusion.
Bettordean had won the first heat from barrier three and finished second to Culler Coded in the third heat. He has been fitted with sliding blinds while the sliding blinds have been replaced with blinkers on Pulling The Strings, who has finished third in two heats.
“Nathan (Williamson) felt he (Bettordean) had more to give when he drove him last week. We are hoping to get an extra half length out of him which could mean the difference between winning and losing,” said Geoff Knight, the co-trainer of Bettordean.
“We have not worked him in the sliding blinds so it will be a surprise on race night”.
The blinds are usually activated between the 400m and 200m.
Matthew Williamson is back on Bettordean with Nathan on Culler Coded, who was ineligible to start in the fourth heat won by Melina Low. The skewbald mare had also won the the second heat in 1.24.9, the fastest time of the heat winners. She could be up against it from the outside of the front line, seven.
It is hard to go past Four Starzzz Shiraz in the $10,000 final of the claiming series. He has won two heats from the outside of the front line (nine), where he has had drawn again. Donegal Jimmy Dave, who ran second to Four Starzzz Shiraz last week, seems his most likely opponent. Blair Orange continues his association with Four Starzzz Shiraz. Orange.
Nathan Williamson, on 88 wins, is the new driver for Golden Gate (race 8). The mare has won her last two starts at Forbury Park stylishly when driven by Rory McIlwrick. He has has decided not to drive for the remaining month of the season to allow him to remain a junior driver next season.
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