By Adam Hamilton
THERE is a sting in the tail of the Group 1 WA Pacing Cup for star pacer Lovers Delight.
If last month’s Perth Inter Dominion runner-up performs well, trainer Stephen Reed will pack his bags and head to Melbourne for the Victoria and Hunter Cups.
“The plan is still to go to Melbourne,” Reed said. “As long as he puts up a good showing this week and the flights work well.”
Lovers Delight missed last Friday’s Group 1 Fremantle Cup because Reed and so many others were stranded by the horrific bushfires south of Perth.
But the trainer is adamant Lovers Delight is still primed for tomorrow night’s (Friday) feature.
“It’s disappointing we missed the chance to run for big money last week, but in the bigger picture of what people went through down here it’s nothing,” he said.
“He’s right for this week and the draw has been kind to us.”
Lovers Delight, who led when second to Lennythshark in the December 13 Inter final, has gate three tomorrow night.
While he’s a quick beginner, it is unlikely he will be able to cross the brilliant Devendra, who has the pole.
The buzz runner, Beaudiene Boaz, follows out Devendra from an inside back row draw, which adds to the intrigue of the gruelling 2936m race.
Reed said Melbourne was attractive because of the two major races.
The Hunter Cup promises to be considerably weaker than the Victoria Cup because of the tight schedule with compulsory Miracle Mile qualifiers at Menangle just seven days after the Hunter Cup.
Lovers Delight won the Easter Cup at Gloucester Park at his last standing-start attempt.
“But he’s not the most reliable away,” Reed said. “He’s actually ODS because he missed away a bit when he won the Easter Cup.
“He never missed it too much. He sort of rolls into a pace after galloping for a few strides.
“We would love to come across and be a part of those two big races in Melbourne.”
Lovers Delight is $6 third favourite in latest Aussie TAB markets.
Devendra heads the betting at $2.80 from the pole with Beaudiene Boaz at $3.
Devendra is also set to chase the Victoria and Hunter Cups.
But Beaudiene Boaz looks certain to go for a spell rather than heading to Sydney for the Chariots Of Fire.
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