Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Dashing reinsman Chris Voak declared experienced seven-year-old Withoutthetuh a good each-way chance when he chose to drive him in preference to veteran pacer Carrera Mach in the 4TH May 2008 Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Voak has driven Withoutthetuh to four of his 15 victories, while he has been in the sulky for eight of Carrera Mach’s 16 wins.
Withoutthetuh, trained by Michael Brennan, is favourably drawn at barrier two for his second appearance after a two-month absence. The gelding was driven by Gary Hall Jnr when he resumed racing last Friday week when he fought on from sixth at the bell to finish third behind Dominus Factum.
Carrera Mach will be handled on Friday night by Stuart McDonald when he faces a tough task from out wide at barrier No. 8. Hall will drive the smart New Zealand-bred five-year-old Ira Poole, who looks a major player from the No. 4 barrier.
“I’m confident Withoutthetuh will cross straight to the lead,” said Voak. “His first-up third was good, and I’ll check with Mouse (Michael Brennan) about how to drive the horse. I daresay he will want to lead.”
Hall said that Ira Poole, a winner at ten of his 43 starts, was working in good style and had bright prospects. “I’d say that if he got to the front, he would be a moral. But he can also breeze and have a winning chance.”
In what should be a good betting race, Jett Star, Brickies Dream, Rascal and Lil Happy Fella are sure to have many admirers.
Much interest will surround Rocknroll Spirit when he has his first start for the Voak stable in the final event, the 2130m Dynamic Deni Delivers Pace.
Four-year-old Rocknroll Spirit is, by far, the youngest and least experienced runner in the race. He has had 26 starts for four wins and seven placings and is sure to be popular with punters after drawing the coveted No. 1 barrier.
“We have had him for three or four weeks and he seems alright,” said Voak. “This is the right type of field for him.”
Two of his rivals are the Peter Anderson-trained The Righteous and Star Of Willoughby, who had no luck when unplaced in a 2130m event won by Cold Hard Cash at Gloucester Park on Tuesday evening.
The Righteous, who will be driven by Trent Wheeler from the No. 2 barrier, has finished third at Northam and Kellerberrin from his past four starts. He raced well back in the field on Tuesday and was blocked for a clear run and finished ninth.
Star Of Willoughby was most impressive in finishing fourth. He began from the inside of the back line and was shuffled back to the rear when the polemarker The Falcon Prince was extremely slow into stride. He was 11TH at the bell and ran home with a spirited burst and went to the line full of running after being held up for a clear run in the straight.