THERE is only one other trotter in Australia that has won as many races as him this season but can On Thunder Road’s good record continue at Tabcorp Park Melton tonight?
Trainer-driver Darren Hancock believes it can.
The New South Wales trotter continued his raid on Victorian riches last Friday when winning the Group 3 Sundons Gift Free-For-All sitting parked for the 2240m mobile feature.
However, the pacing bred gelding is facing a 20m handicap in tonight’s Group 1 Haras des Trotteurs Australasian Trotting Championship (2760m) standing start but this is not an issue for Hancock.
“It won’t hurt him,” said Hancock.
“He gets bigger handicaps up here (NSW) and is facing similar horses.
“Traffic is the only thing but it’s 2700m and he likes the journey so if he can get around a few of them he will go well.
“Last week’s run I thought was one of his best runs just on the sectionals they went . . . they ran very hard the whole way and he never got a breather, he just dug deep the last bit which was really good.
“He will benefit from that because he hadn’t had a run for a few weeks.
“He should run a big race.”
Adding to Hancock’s confidence is On Thunder Road’s versatility.
“That’s one thing about him, he can do work, he can sit back, he is easy to drive,” said Hancock.
So much so, On Thunder Road is on the verge of cracking $400,000 in earnings throughout his career.
Having bankrolled $394,665 in prizemoney to date, a win in tonight’s feature will see him add an extra $28,500 to that.
On Thunder Road has won his last three starts and two of those victories were at Melton.
The son of Bettors Delight has had 11 starts at this track for six wins and two second placings.
Yet despite this record, the seven-year-old is the $4 second favourite with TAB Fixed Odds for tonight’s feature.
The $3.80 favourite is Sunny Ruby, which finished a half-neck away in second to On Thunder Road last week and eighth to him in the Grand Prix her start prior.
“The mare from New Zealand ran second to me the other night and she goes well,” said Hancock.
“But she is off 20m too . . . it will be hard off 20 but anything off the front you just have to get around them.”
On Thunder Road has won seven races this season and the only trotter to equal that is El Paco who is a $21 chance in tonight’s feature.
Meanwhile there is a three-pronged NSW attack in tonight’s Victoria Oaks.
Shezallapples has drawn well in two and is the third pick at $4.80 while Angel In White (four) and Sheza Sharpie (eight) are at generous odds of $81 and $41 respectively.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
