Shannon Suvaljko’s decision to drive Lion Queen over Remarkable Rock has given trainer Mike Reed plenty of confidence going into Harry Capararo Westbred Pace (2130m) at Gloucester Park.
Reed said was planning on finding another driver for Lion Queen for the $30,000 event after the Peter Anderson-trained Remarkable Rock drew barrier one.
“I thought Shannon might drive the one,” Reed told Racing WA Harness.
“He said to me that it’s a winnable race for Lion Queen and the main danger has drawn outside her.
“I think we will let her settle and then look to put her in the race.
“She worked really well this morning.”
Lion Queen was well beaten when sixth to stablemate Bettors Pride at Gloucester Park last week.
While Reed said he was originally concerned by the margin of the mare’s defeat last week, he was heartened by driver Chris Lewis’ report.
“Last start she ran home in 56 and was three and four wide,” he said.
“Chris said she went well and not to worry about where she finished.
“She ducked home pretty well.”
Lion Queen has built up a formidable record of seven wins and six placings from her 17 starts, including a placing in last year’s WA Oaks.
The Control The Moment mare has scored two wins from her six starts this campaign and only missed a top three placing in two other starts.
Reed said he hoped to target Lion Queen at a four-year-old race on ‘W’ night at Gloucester Park in September, alongside star stablemate Water Lou.
“I will probably give her a couple more starts before the good race that’s there for her in September,” he said.
“I don’t want to turn her out, so I will probably race her fortnightly or every three weeks before that.
“We will aim her and Water Lou at the race.”
Reed said Ruby Lou and Quinton could also feature prominently on the Gloucester Park card if their respective races were run to suit.
Trainer Michael Young and driver Emily Suvaljko will be out to continue their strong run of form with a newcomer to the stable Heavenly Gipsy at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Young paid $30,000 for the seven-year-old, which he was offered as one of several horses by Victorian interest.
A last start fifth to Aardies Express in February’s Ladyship Cup at Melton was enough to convince Young to purchase the mare.
Heavenly Gipsy stepped out in a 2185m trial at Pinjarra last week and defeated Twobob Cracker by 7.9m in 1:58.5.
Young said he was pleased with what the mare had done since joining his stable.
“We like her,” Young told Racing WA Harness.
“The trial was pretty good, but it doesn’t read up as well online as what it actually was.
“Her last half was pretty good.
“We knew she was going to be an M0 here and would be dropping back from Free-For-All level.
“She was only 30 grand, and we didn’t think we could lose on her.”
The Rock N Roll Heaven mare looks well placed to make a winning start for Young in Friday’s North Coast Fibreglass Pace (2130m) at Gloucester Park.
Heavenly Gipsy has drawn barrier one in the event, while key rival Tualou has drawn the outside barrier of the eight-horse field.
Young said he was expected the mare to lead and prove too hard to run down.
“We put her out of her class as a zero metro win mare, but it was a preferential draw on sex and she would draw well,” he said.
“Her gate speed is exceptional and we figured if we drew one, she wouldn’t get crossed.
“I’ve looked silly before, but I don’t think they’ll beat her.”
Young said he hoped to aim Heavenly Gipsy at the Norms Daughter Classic and Mares Classic later this year.
Meanwhile, Young said his other runner on the Gloucester Park card Montana D J would acquit himself well from barrier three in the Ray Duffy Memorial (2130m).
