Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
No-one will be as busy at Gloucester Park on Friday night as star reinsman Shannon Suvaljko, who will be in action in all ten events.
And his message to punters is that the Mike Reed-trained four-year-old Quinton is his best winning prospect.
The Victorian-bred pacer has resumed after a spell with a fourth, a third and then a second in the space of 21 days in April. He will begin from the No. 3 barrier in the $25,000 You’ve Got The Touch With TABtouch Pace over 2130m.
He caught the eye with is strong effort in the 2185m Harvey Cup at Pinjarra on Monday afternoon when he started from the back line and was eighth at the bell before starting a three-wide 600m from home and finishing determinedly to be second to Master Leighton, who rated a smart 1.55.2 after final 400m sections of 26.7sec. and 29.6sec.
“Nothing hit the line better, and he’s a good chance,” said Suvaljko. “I like him, and he doesn’t have to lead.”
Other Reed-trained pacers Bettors Pride (race three) and Lion Queen (race four) also have strong winning prospects, according to Suvaljko.
Bettors Pride will begin from the No. 4 barrier in the $25,000 TABtouch Same Game Multi Bettorzippit final over 2130m in which he has sound prospects against smart rivals Mikis Beach, Blazing Reactor and Cold Hard Cash.
Bettors Pride has won at three of his six starts, with his latest victories coming when he has set the pace and won comfortably over 2185m at Pinjarra and over 2130m at Gloucester Park (when he ran the final 800m in 55.3sec.
“Bettors Pride is getting better all the time, and he doesn’t have to lead,” said Suvaljko, who has a healthy respect for Mikis Beach and Blazing Reactor.
Lion Queen, the only mare in the $27,000 TABtouch Catch A Wave final over 2130m, and Belly Up, the only three-year-old in the race, look set to fight out the finish.
Lion Queen has a distinct advantage, having drawn a favourable barrier at No.3, while Belly Up will start from the outside (barrier three) on the back line.
Lion Queen made a superb return to racing after a five-month absence when she was restrained at the start from barrier seven and was ninth and last at the bell before finishing powerfully to win by a length from Sweet Vivienne, rating 1.56.3 over 2130m last Friday week. That was her sixth win from twelve starts.
“Lion Queen has good gate speed and is capable of holding out (speedy beginner) Longreach Bay (barrier eight),” said Suvaljko. “It was a super first-up run, particularly because she is not normally that type of pacer coming right around the field.
“This is a perfect draw and a perfect race for her, and she can beat Belly Up.”