By Adam Hamilton
DRIVER Chris Alford expects champion pacer Lennytheshark to win Friday night’s $50,000 Group 2 Smoken Up Sprint (1720m) at Melton.
David Aiken’s stable star is first-up since a brave fourth in the Group 1 Blacks A Fake at Albion Park in July.
But Alford said he’s primed and the wide barrier draw (gate seven) is no major hurdle.
“A lot’s been said about his trial last week when It Is Billy ran past him, but he didn’t have his shades on, it was daytime and I didn’t ask much of him at all. It was a trial, not a race and they still went a 1min53sec mile,” Alford said.
“It’ll be a different Lenny this week. Shades on, under lights and he’s back at the races. I think he’ll win.”
Alford thinks Lennytheshark will work across from the wide draw at the start and quickly land outside the likely early leader, Yayas Hot Spot.
“If we get across quickly enough, I’ll have a look for the lead, but if I’ve got to sit parked then so be it,” he said.
The Aussie TAB has opened Lennytheshark a $1.90 favourite, while Yayas Hot Spot has been backed from $14 into $9.
Tim Butt’s star My Field Marshal will need luck from a back row draw (gate 10) in the 1720m scamper.
In other news, trainer Kevin Pizzuto has opted for a trial rather than a race with Tiger Tara ahead of the Victoria Cup.
Tiger Tara will go first-up into the $200,000 Group 1 Victoria Cup on Saturday week.
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