The clash between equine millionaires Minstrel and Mister Smartee in the $31,000 Book Into The Beau Rivage For Fireworks Night Pace over 2130m promises to be a highlight of the ten-event program at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
And while they are the best performed pacers in the race, they are certainly not guaranteed a one-two finish, with Brickies Dream, Never Ending and Hotly Pursued capable of testing them.
Star driver Deni Roberts is confident that Minstrel, trained by Greg and Skye Bond, will fight out the finish at his second appearance after a spell.
Minstrel will begin from barrier four, with Mister Smartee and Hotly Pursued beginning from the back line and Never Ending out wide at the No. 8 barrier on the front line.
Minstrel enjoyed a soft run, three back on the pegs in an Indian file affair in the 2536m Porter Memorial four weeks ago when he finished third behind Magnificent Sorm and Brickies Dream. Mister Smartee, who raced in the breeze over the final 1300m, finished fourth.
“I was really happy with Minstrel’s first-up run,” said Roberts. “He hit the line well, and since then he has trimmed up a lot, and I’d say we will be driving him forward on Friday.”
Mister Smartee, trained by Gary Hall snr and driven by Gary Hall jnr, is remarkably consistent, with his 26 starts producing 19 wins and three seconds. He began out wide at barrier eight in a 1730m event last Friday night when he dashed forward early but was unable to get to the front. He then worked hard in the breeze, with Hotly Pursued setting a brisk pace with quarters of 29sec., 28.9sec., 27.7sec. and 28.1sec.
Mister Smartee fought on determinedly to finish third in a three-way photo finish, with Captain Ravishing gaining the verdict by a head from Hotly Pursued, with Mister Smartee a neck farther back in third place. He was elevated to second after a successful protest.
Henley Brook trainer-reinsman Robbie Williams is looking forward to Brickies Dream testing Minstrel, Mister Smartee and the other runners in the race, saying: “He has gone to another level, and is right up to this top company now.
“Two starts ago Brickies Dream finished second to Magnificent Storm when he beat Minstrel home after Minstrel had sat behind Brickies Dream, who held him comfortably. Then at his next start Brickies Dream finished fourth behind Magnificent Storm. That was a super effort, and I think he is right up to them. We will push forward this week.”
Gee Heza Sport, a stablemate of Minstrel, is favourably drawn at the No. 2 barrier and will be driven by Stuart McDonald. He had a tough run in the breeze and fought on grandly when second to Magnificent Storm last Friday week.
