Ace trainer-reinsman Chris Voak faces a busy time at Gloucester Park on Friday night with eight drives on the ten-event program, and he predicts his best winning chance will be experienced trotter Aldebaran Boyd in the final event, the $21,000 Taste Of WA Handicap, a stand over 2503m.
“As long as he steps, he should lead and win,” said a confident Voak. “He was unlucky at his latest start (when third behind Nickys Son at Pinjarra on Monday of last week) when he made up a lot of ground. Now he gets a good chance to win his first metro race.”
Aldebaran Boyd took an early lead in the 2631m stand at Pinjarra before taking the sit behind Peachy and then was badly blocked for a clear run behind the tiring Peachy approaching the home turn. He finally got clear with about 180m to travel when he finished determinedly along the sprint lane.
Six-year-old Aldebaran Boyd won a group $25,000 3 trot for two-year-olds at Geelong in December 2021 and he hasn’t always been foolproof, with his 16 appearances in stands producing just one win, at Melton in March of last year.
Aldebaran Boyd will share the front line on Friday night with Aldebaran Sundown and Dark Secret, with his expected main dangers having to concede a start. Majestic Ga Ga and last-start winner Nickys Son will begin from the 30m mark, while Luvaflair, a winner of 26 races, is the lone backmarker off 40 metres.
Aldebaran Boyd was an impressive winner in mobile events at Pinjarra and Gloucester Park at his two outings before his last-start third at Pinjarra.
Voak also has high hopes of winning with Sweet Vivienne, who is favourably drawn at barrier two in the $31,000 Kersley Pace over 2130m.
“It maps well for her, and if she is unable to lead, she will be up on pace,” said Voak. “So, she should be about the place.” Sweet Vivienne notched her twelfth win from 68 starts when she set the pace and beat Hillview Bondi by two lengths, rating a slick 1.54.8 over 2185m at Pinjarra on Monday of last week.
Toughest for Sweet Vivienne to beat are expected to be Bettors Pride and Saifa, with the Mike Reed-trained Bettors Pride resuming after a four-month absence in fine style with an excellent victory over Cordero last Friday night, rating 1.55.7 over 2130m.
Bettors Pride faces a stern test from out wide at barrier No. 9, while Saifa will need to overcome the disadvantage of barrier eight. Saifa is in top form for Bunbury trainer Bob Mellsop. A muddling early pace did not help Saifa last Friday night when he raced in last place in the field of eight before finishing strongly into fifth place behind Illawong Mustang.
That followed Saifa’s excellent first two runs in WA which produced wins over 2130m, rating 1.57.5 and 1.55.5.
