Up-and-coming star Patriarch won’t have things all his own way when he begins from the outside barrier in the field of seven in the 2130m Foton Trucks Built Ready To Go Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
But his part-owner and trainer Michael Young is confident that the New Zealand-bred two-year-old colt will notch his third win from three Australian starts, saying: “It won’t be easy for him, but he is very smart and is tough as nails, so he will be going forward again.”
Patriarch, driven by Emily Suvaljko, went forward from barrier five and raced outside the pacemaker Nite Sniper before winning by two lengths from The Final Offer over 1730m last Friday week when he dashed over the final quarters in 27.9sec. and 28.3sec.
Young is certainly not underestimating the ability of Patriarch’s rivals, particularly Amalfi Knight (barrier six) and In Rare Air (barrier four). “They are very smart,” he said.
Amalfi Knight began from the outside barrier in the field of eight when he finished fourth behind Patriarch last Friday week. “We just couldn’t get into the race, and this week we will probably get forward with him,” said his trainer-reinsman Aiden De Campo.
Deni Roberts, who drives In Rare Air for trainers Greg and Skye Bond, admitted the Bettors Delight gelding faced a stern test, saying: ‘It looks tough, and I’ll probably have to sit him up again.”
In Rare Air’s stablemate, The Final Offer (another Bettors Delight gelding) trailed the pacemaker Nite Sniper before running on to finish second to Patriarch a fortnight ago. He is racing keenly and is sure to be prominent after starting from the No. 3 barrier for Tom Nally.
Star Pinjarra trainer-reinsman Chris Voak is planning to make life tough for the backmarkers in the Foton All New AMT With Cummins Power Handicap, a stand over 2503m by setting a brisk pace with frontmarker Our Vinnie.
At his first outing for a month Our Vinnie led early and then took a sit before finishing third behind Skylou and Rock Me Over in a fast-run 2631m stand at Pinjarra on Monday of last week.
“This week I think there is a good chance for Vinnie to lead and roll along,” said Voak. “And that would be ideal. Our Vinnie will be meeting Skylou on 10m better terms.”
Skylou, to be driven by Gary Hall jnr for trainer Gary Hall snr, began from the 30m mark in the Pinjarra race and he fought of doggedly to get up and win narrowly. The five-year-old will need to be at his top on Friday night to overcome the 40m back mark.
