Five-year-old mare The Parade should make the most of a favourable barrier (No. 3) and prove too smart for her six rivals in the $23,000 Alltools Gift Vouchers Pace over 2536m at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
“Her latest run was very good and she’ll go close again this week,” declared Boyanup trainer Justin Prentice.
Prentice will resume as The Parade’s driver after Brayden Green was in the sulky last Friday night when the mare settled in seventh position and sustained a strong three-wide burst from fifth at the bell to win by almost two lengths from Firebomb, rating 1.56.1 over 2130m.
The Parade, who has raced 45 times for 18 wins, 14 placings and stakes of $274,429, will clash with another outstanding mare Leda McNally, who looks set to act as pacemaker from her ideal barrier at No. 2.
Another rival will be the evergreen 11-year-old Shardons Rocket, who will start from the outside in a field of seven. Shardons Rocket will be having his fifth start in the space of 15 days for veteran Byford trainer Tony Svilicich.
Shardons Rockets led and won in fine style at Pinjarra and Gloucester Park before starting at 7/2 over 2130m at Gloucester Park on Tuesday night. Driven by Matthew Henwood, Shardons Rocket worked hard in the breeze before fading to finish seventh behind the pacemaker and seven-year-old stablemate Cyclone Mitch, who was driven by Chris Lewis and rated a smart 1.55.5.
Colin Brown, who was in the sulky for Shardons Rocket’s wins at his two previous outings, will drive Tuapeka Kahu for Forrestdale trainers Greg and Skye Bond. Svilicich has engaged Kristian Hawkins to drive Shardons Rocket on Friday night.
The Bonds chalked up a notable milestone at Gloucester Park on Tuesday night when they landed a double with Blinding Light (5/4) and Eastwood Crystal (5/2 on). Both pacers were driven by Ryan Warwick and the double brought up a century of winners for the Bond stable this season.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
