Consistent pacer Imperial Laz will be chasing one of his biggest wins when he lines up in the Ladbrokes Meander Valley Cup (2698m) at Carrick Park on Sunday.
The Juanita McKenzie-trained pacer has won six of his 33 starts with 11 placings to his credit, and has finished in the top five placings in nine of his last 10 efforts.
“I’m happy with the way he is racing, but it is a step up in class on Sunday, and I expect him to run a decent race, and he will like the step up in trip,” said the pacers driver Jack Watson.
Although the pacer is yet to win a standing start race, he has been placed in four of five standing start efforts. The only time he missed a place in a stand, he was defeated 4.5m at Addington in New Zealand early last year.
“You know they have got good standing start manners when I can get them away,” laughed Watson.
“It was a good win (last start), I was a little bit worried because he doesn’t have that quick turn of foot to get up the sprint lane sometimes, but he dashed up good to win.
“It’s a pretty open race (on Sunday), but I’m sure he will be thereabouts with a good run.
Earlier in the day, Watson will partner Rakadan, who is also trained by the McKenzie stable, in the Harrison Agents Pace.
The six-year-old gelding ran second to Celebrity Royal in Launceston two starts ago in 1:54.0s, and failed to beat a runner home in last week’s Tasmania Cup heat, where his own last half mile of 55.63s was the second fastest of the race.
“I put a line straight through his Tassie Cup heat run. He just had no luck.
“We don’t know how good a horse he is quite yet, but from driving him, he is a pretty serious horse. We have just had a lot of dramas with him, getting him to relax, and mum does a good job getting him to the races.
“He has found a winnable race on Sunday, he gets a good draw for once, which he hasn’t had for a while, and I expect him to go close,” said Watson.
Former New Zealand pacer Dalton Shard, who has finished second in the recent Devonport Cup in Launceston and was third in last week’s Tasmania Cup heat, is expected to start favourite despite drawing the outside barrier.
The 10-race Carrick Park card commences at 14:39, which is around half an hour earlier than previously advised.
