By Adam Hamilton
KIM Prentice admits he is awe of his emerging star Soho Tribeca.
As impressed as Prentice was with the ease of Soho Tribeca’s opening round heat win, he’s more chuffed with how the five-year-old has come through his first taste of Inter Dominion racing.
“He was raring to go again straight away. I’m actually surprised just how well he came through that run,” he said. “It gives me a lot of confidence heading to Bunbury on the quick back-up.”
Not even a wide draw (gate six) has dampened Prentice’s confidence at Bunbury where he meets his arch hometown rival, Chicago Bull.
While Soho Tribeca has drawn wide, it’s a better alley than Chicago Bull, who will start from inside the back row (gate eight).
Soho Tribeca led easily last Friday, but will probably park outside the leader, who could be Ohoka Punter (gate two),at Bunbury.
“That won’t bother me. I can control the race from there and he’s not fazed by racing outside the leader,” Prentice said.
It will take plenty of luck and a masterful Gary Hall Jr drive for Chicago Bull to make it four wins from his last four clashes with Soho Tribeca.
“I don’t think we’ve ever had him better, but the draw makes it hard,” Hall Jr said.
In the first heat, NSW trainer Shane Tritton expect noted front-runner Yayas Hot Spot to resurrect his quest for a Grand Final berth.
“He needed a draw and he’s got one with the pole. He’ll lead, it’s where he runs his best races, and I think he’ll be very hard to beat,” he said. “We haven’t given up hope of making the final that’s for sure. He actually ran a great race the other night from an impossible position the way the race was run.”
The hurdle will be the great Lennytheshark, who has the back row (gate nine), but should trail through well.
Any hope Have Faith In Me has of making the final depends on him improving sharply on an opening night ninth and overcoming a tough back row draw (gate 10) at Bunbury.
The best of the Bunbury heats is the third where Lazarus will be looking to return to winning form.
Tiger Tara looks the likely leader and main danger from the pole.
“He’ll lead. He’s beginning quicker and quicker every time we ask him,” trainer Kevin Pizzuto said. “His run was huge the other night and I think he’ll be improved by it as well.”
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
