Lightly raced five-year-old gelding Photo First will have to overcome a wide front-row draw if he is to claim the Granada Tavern Pace (2090m) in Hobart on Friday night.
The Greg Scott-trained pacer has drawn barrier six in the national rating 53 to 56 event, as the pacer eyes off his third career win at start 12.
Photo First won in Launceston two runs back, and was runner-up to Iamahunter over the 1609m trip in Hobart at his most recent start on 29 August.
“Last start he didn’t see the other horse coming down the outside, so I have made a gear change, which he has worked in, and he dashed up real good, so hopefully he does the same on Friday night,” said Scott.
The last start form line around Photo First was strengthened, with the winner Iamhunter winning again since.
Scott is expecting a forward showing on Friday night, but is slightly concerned by the wide draw.
“I think he has got the ability to win it, if he had drawn one or two, I would say they definitely wouldn’t beat him, but he still has the ability to win it out of six.
“His trackwork on Tuesday was good. He is a horse that I don’t overwork.
“From day one, he showed he had ability, and every time he has gone around, he has always shown he has had some ability,” said Scott.
When fields were first released, driver Jacob Duggan, the grandson of Scott, was listed to drive Photo First, and Five Star Shark, who is trained by Jacob’s father, Adrian, but Jacob has elected to drive Photo First.
“Jacob gets the first choice to drive, I put him on, and then if he wants to drive something else, so be it.”
Friday’s eight-race card commences at 17:52.
