28 October 2020 | Ken Casellas
Dashing reinsman Chris Voak is enjoying a purple patch and he will command a huge following when he has a drive in all ten events at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Voak goes into the meeting full of confidence after driving eight winners on the first three days of the week five at Kellerberrin on Sunday, a double at Pinjarra on Monday and a winner at Gloucester Park on Tuesday evening to take his season’s tally to 230 winners.
All his ten runners have each-way prospects, and he declares that Roman Art, prepared by Vic Bryers at Coolup, is his best winning prospect.
Roman Art, a WA-bred four-year-old who has won at nine of his 19 starts, has drawn perfectly at barrier No. 1 in the Simmonds Steel Pace over 2130m and Voak is aiming for an all-the-way victory.
“I’ll be attempting to lead and make every post a winner,” said Voak. “He was held up when third behind Lord Rosco at his latest run and he did it very easily when he won a trial at Pinjarra on Sunday.” Roman Art dashed over the final quarters of the three-horse trial in 27.9sec. and 28.8sec.
Roman Art’s main danger appears to be the Aldo Cortopassi-trained Roman Aviator, who is handily drawn at barrier three. He is a smart beginner and a strong frontrunner.
Gary Hall Jnr has opted to drive Liam Neil (barrier eight) in preference to stablemate Mister Bushido (barrier four). “It was a good run when Liam Neil finished third to Braeview Bondi last Friday night and he has some hope in this week’s race,” he said.
Voak is also looking forward to driving the New Zealand-bred trotter King Of The Roses, who will start off 20m in the 2503m Catalano Truck And Equipment Sales Handicap.
King Of The Roses, prepared by Ross Olivieri, will be making his WA debut at his first start in a race since he began off the 50m mark and finished a distant second in a field of five over 2530m at Port Pirie on March 23, 2019. He is lightly raced, with his 34 starts producing ten wins, eight seconds and one third placing.
King Of The Roses has shown a splendid turn of foot in scoring very easy wins in moderately slow times at Byford and Pinjarra on the past two Sunday mornings. He ran on from last in a field of five at the bell to hit the front 450m from home and won by 16m from Just A Saint, with a gross time of 2min. 48.2sec. over the 2185m journey at Pinjarra on Sunday.
He is sure to meet extremely stiff opposition from Princess Mila, who will also start off 20m and has impressed with several excellent performances for trainer Gary Hall Snr. Princess Mila also contested a 2185m trial at Pinjarra on Sunday and she ran home strongly along the sprint lane to finish a 3m second to Joe With The Flow, with final quarters of 28.4sec. and 291.sec. The gross time was 2min. 42.2sec., 6sec. faster than the time recorded by King Of The Roses.
Hall Jnr is confident of a strong showing from Princess Mila, saying: “It has been quite a while since I’ve driven a trotter who has felt as good as Princess Mila has felt lately. We have made some gear changes and she seems a lot more comfortable and a lot happier.”
Following are Voak’s thoughts on his other drives on Friday night.
Race 1: Anvil Rollover: He’s very fast and up to this class, but he’s drawn poorly (barrier eight) over 1730m.
Race 2: Qtown Rip Roaring: He’ll take a sit from his perfect draw and should be handy.
Race 4: Stroke Of Luck: It was a good run last start when he was held up (when third to Galactic Star and Vampiro) last week. He gave a great feel when he worked brilliantly at Byford this morning (Tuesday). The 2536m suits him and I expect him to go really well.
Race 5: Vultan Tin: He beat Chicago Bull four starts ago, but Chicago Bull was not at his top then. He’s aiming at the Cups again this year and will be driven sit and sprint on Friday night.
Race 6: Sokys Big Bullet: It’s not a strong field, barring Whozideawasthis, and he should be prominent.
Race 7: Just Makemine Diamonds: From barrier seven she is probably just a place chance.
Race 9: Captains Beach Babe: She is going to get a good trip from barrier two and is an each-way chance.
Race 10: Hotfoot It: He’s promising, is running good times and is on the improve. He ran a very good third to The Ideal Touch two starts ago after sitting in the breeze.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
