Brilliant New Zealand-bred five-year-old Im Full of Excuses will be a strong contender in the Interdominion Championship at the end of 2017, according to his reinsman Chris Lewis.
And Lewis should enjoy an armchair drive when the Ross Olivieri-trained Im Full of Excuses begins from the favourable barrier No. 2 in the first qualifying heat of the Christmas Gift at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Im Full of Excuses has not been fully extended in winning at each of his past five starts and the Jeremes Jet gelding will be at an extremely short quote on Friday night.
Lewis was lavish in his praise after driving the gelding to an easy victory over Courage Tells and Mighty Flying Thomas last Friday week when he rated 1.55.6 after sprinting over the final 800m in 55.6sec. That followed effortless wins in the Kalgoorlie Cup and York Cup at Northam at his two previous outings.
The Andrew de Campo-trained Sky Art looks a good place bet from the prized No. 1 barrier. He should enjoy a perfect sit behind Im Full of Excuses.
Rub of the Green has a 56 per cent winning strike rate and he should notch his 16th win from 28 starts when he begins from the outside in the field of eight in the second heat of the Christmas Gift. Rub of the Green was not extended when he led and won from Ohoka Kentucky and Major Catastrophe at a 1.55.4 rate over 2130m last Friday night.
Bronze Seeker, a winner of a Christmas Gift qualifying heat 12 months ago, should appreciate starting from the No. 1 barrier after a series of wide draws have made life tough for him.
King Lebron and Livura are racing keenly and will be strongly fancied to win the third and fourth heats, respectively, of the Christmas Gift.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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