By Ken Casellas
Libertybelle Midfrew.
Star four-year-old Libertybelle Midfrew has drawn the outside at barrier nine in the 1730m Cyril Lilleyman Memorial for mares at Gloucester Park tonight, but she should prove too talented for her eight rivals.
She drops back to mares’ company after competing in open-class company against many of the State’s best pacers, including My Hard Copy, David Hercules and Machtu, in recent weeks.
Her most recent run, in a 2130m Free-For-All at Gloucester Park last Friday week, was full of merit. She raced in sixth place in the one-wide line before sprinting home strongly to finish a close-up fourth behind My Hard Copy, Our Blackbird and Machtu.
Trainer Mike Reed and reinsman Mark Reed were delighted with Libertybelle Midfrew’s effort and the mare is certain to be a major drawcard at Gloucester Park’s summer carnival.
Mark Reed will continue in the sulky behind Libertybelle Midfrew in this week’ race in which she will clash with stablemates Mon Lamour and Flyin The Ointment. Clint Kimes will handle Mon Lamour and Aldo Cortopassi has been engaged to drive Flyin The Ointment.
Half-sisters Jungle Jewel and Jungle Genie will start from barriers three and eight, respectively, but, though each has plenty of ability, it is difficult to suggest that either will be able to fully extend Libertybelle Midfrew. Ryan Warwick will drive Jungle Jewel for trainers Greg and Skye Bond and Colin Brown will drive stablemate Jungle Genie.
Polemarker Typhoon Tan is a smart frontrunner and is the likely pacemaker. But she is sure to be put under plenty of pressure in the middle stages by Libertybelle Midfrew.
Jungle Jewel is a talented sit-sprinter and she makes strong appeal as the mare most likely to finish second behind Libertybelle Midfrew.
Our Jimmy Johnstone gets his chance
Our Jimmy Johnstone has been freshened up since finishing an excellent third behind My Hard Copy and Crusader Banner over 1609m at Bunbury five Fridays ago and he gets a good opportunity to end a sequence of four placings when he contests the $22,500 Tom Thompson Pace over 2130m at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Our Jimmy Johnstone, trained by Greg and Skye Bond, will start from barrier five on the front line and Colin Brown is likely to press forward in the early stages to take up a forward position.
Polemarker Little Boy Blue is blessed with sparkling early speed and Bob Mellsop is sure to make the most of the No. 1 barrier by setting the pace. This should result in Our Jimmy Johnstone racing outside the leader, with Brown relying on his horse to outstay the pacemaker.
However, Our Jimmy Johnstone will need to be at his top to stave off the leading trainer Gary Hall senior’s quartet of My Hard Copy (barrier nine), Crusader Banner (seven), Hokonui Ben (No. 2 on the back line) and Northview Punter (three on the back line).
Clint Hall stole a march on his rivals when he got Crusader Banner away brilliantly from the No. 9 barrier two starts ago to quickly take up the running before winning by a length from Soho Lennon at a 1.54.7 rate over 2130m. The stable could plan similar tactics on Friday night, but it is problematical whether Crusader Banner could burst past Little Boy Blue in the early stages.
My Hard Copy can never be underestimated. He is sure to settle down at the rear and Clint Hall will be relying on the five-year-old’s dazzling finishing sprint.
John of Arc breaks down again
Brilliant New Zealand-bred five-year-old John of Arc has broken down again after his superb first-up victory at Gloucester Park last Friday night and will undergo surgery next Monday in a bid to resurrect his career.
Prominent veterinary surgeon Trevor Lindsay will employ the Platelet Rich Plasma treatment on the strongly-built gelding’s damaged near-side front leg.
“John of Arc had filling in the leg after his win last Friday night,” said trainer Gary Hall sen. “This latest injury is to his near-side front suspensory ligament.
“He has damaged all his legs except his off-side hind leg. After the operation on Monday he’ll have three weeks off, doing nothing, and then I’ll get him ready for another preparation.
“He is only ever going to stand up for one or two runs; he’s that type of horse. I’m getting used to it; the best horses are the ones who have the most problems.
“He has always had leg problems because he has bad conformation, and poor gait and he’s a very heavy horse. Her can’t get around the corners and runs out in the straight. He’s probably got as much ability as any horse I’ve got. The Interdoms are still a hope.”
John of Arc reappeared after a three-month absence at Gloucester Park last Friday night when he began speedily from barrier three and gave a powerful frontrunning performance to score an effortless victory at a 1.53.4 rate over 1730m, scoring by 10m from Bettors Fire.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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