Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Former New Zealand filly Sister Cherie has won at her first four starts in Western Australia, but she faces a stern test when she starts out wide at barrier eight in the $21,000 Retravision Pace for three-year-old fillies at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Deni Roberts, who has landed 197 winners this season, will drive the Ray Williams-trained Sister Cherie, who is sure to be tested by Zephyra, Unlucky, Allaglow, Between Two Thorns and Spiritofanangel.
Williams praised Sister Cherie’s never-say-die attitude after she had set the pace and fought on to win from Between Two Thorns last Friday week. He would dearly love the filly to overcome the wide barrier and extend her winning sequence to five — before sending her out for a spell.
Zephyra, who finished fourth behind Sister Cherie two weeks ago, looms large as the filly to beat. She has the ability to overcome the disadvantage of starting from the outside of the back line.
Zephyra began out wide at barrier nine at her latest start when she was restrained to last by Dylan Egerton-Green. She sustained a strong burst from last the bell.
“This is not too bad a draw,” said Egerton-Green. “She was three deep without cover at her latest start, and I was happy with her run. I think she has improved, and I give her a good chance.”
Between Two Thorns, who finished with a powerful burst when a half-length second to Sister Cherie two weeks ago, faces a difficult assignment from out wide at barrier No. 9.
Unlucky, trained and driven by Lindsay Harper, broke through for her first success in WA when she outclassed the opposition in a 2130m event on Tuesday night. She dashed to the front after 150m, set the pace and sprinted over the final 400m in 28.8sec. when she beat Dunamis by seven lengths, rating 1.58.3. She will begin from barrier four and is sure to be prominent.
Allaglow, trained by Katja Warwick, will have admirers after her sound third behind Star Lilly and Bella Ragazza at Pinjarra on Monday. “She went really good,” said reinsman Shannon Suvaljko. “She will go forward and will run a good race.”