Trainer Ian Gurney hopes Mach Alert can atone for last weekend’s Redcliffe Gold Cup disappointment when he lines up in Saturday night’s Rio Meteor Sulky Open Pace (1660m) at Albion Park.
Mach Alert had his winning chances curtailed when he was caught-up in a three-horse incident in the standing start and ended up half a lap behind the main field.
The Rio Meteor Sulky Open Pace has been billed as a rematch of the Redcliffe Gold Cup as it features the winner of the Redcliffe Cup, Five Card Draw, as well as second-placegetter Condagen and the other two horse involved in the incident, Applause and Bio Marinus.
Gurney was philosophical about last week’s disappointment and hoped that Mach Alert could set the record on straight on Saturday night.
“That’s racing,” said Gurney.
“You just put it down to bad luck, the racing God’s were against me that night.
“He’s doing really well, everything is good and we’ll just be looking to slot in somewhere and sit in Saturday night’s race.
“He’s drawn barrier seven so he hasn’t got the best draw.”
Another runner taking his place in the rematch is Majestic Mach, who had a great run in the Redcliffe Cup with Bart Cockburn at the helm until some bad luck ended his hopes of victory.
Majestic Mach took the lead early and looked strong throughout the race, however a flat tyre with 1200 metres remaining gave other horses the chance to wear him down, finishing the race a gutsy fourth.
Mind The Wire and the Gurney-trained Ideal Scott make up the rest of the field, the former coming back from a two week freshen-up after finishing midfield at each of his last five starts.
Racing at Albion Park starts at 5pm this Saturday night, with the Rio Meteor Sulky Open Pace on at 5.57pm.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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