Four-year-old Justcallmemiki is the least experienced runner in the $31,000 Ashes Test Match Then To The Trots Pace over 2536m at Gloucester Park on Friday night, but star driver Deni Roberts is full of confidence that he will prove the master of his eleven rivals.
“His run last week when second to Waverider in the Golden Nugget was super, and I’d say I will press on from barrier seven,” said Roberts. “I’m looking forward to driving him again.”
Donald Harper drove Justcallmemiki when the New Zealand-bred four-year-old trailed the pacemaker Bettors Pride and raced roughly on the home turn before sprouting wings and flying home, out four wide, to finish a half-head from the winner.
Justcallmemiki, prepared by leading trainers Greg and Skye Bond, was unlucky two starts before that when he trailed the pacemaker Copy Cat Queen and did not get clear until the final 120 metres, when he flashed home to finish second, a head behind Copy Cat Queen.
While punters are sure to rally behind Justcallmemiki they would be well advised to consider that pacer’s talented stablemate Gee Heza Sport, who is capable of a bold effort despite starting from the outside barrier (No. 9) on the front line.
Gee Heza Sport will be driven by Stuart McDonald, who was in the sulky last Friday week when the Sportswriter gelding came from 12TH and last at the bell with a sparkling late burst, out five wide, to finish sixth behind Minstrel. At his previous outing Gee Heza Sport led early and then trailed the pacemaker Minstrel before running home strongly to finish second to that horse.
Ace trainer Aiden De campo has Menemsha and Sorridere engaged in the race, and he has decided to handle Menemsha, who is handily drawn at barrier two on the back line.
Joey Suvaljko will drive five-year-old Sorridere, who will begin from barrier six at his first appearance for 16 weeks. “I’m happy with Sorridere who is working well,” said De Campo. “However, he has an awkward draw, first-up.”
