The barrier draw was always going to be crucial for the $33,500 Group 3 Alabar 2YO Golden Nursery Final (1800m) at Globe Derby Park on Saturday, and so it proved for the Justin Brewin-trained Above Average.
Brewin was hoping for a back row draw and Above Average came up with gate 10, but if the emergency Marcelo doesn’t obtain a run, he comes into nine – number two on the second row.
“That would be perfect,” Brewin said.
“I’ve wanted a back row draw so we can drive him with a sprint, and if he can start from two on the second row it would be just right.
“He would come out behind Bubbles And Cheese and should get a perfect spot in the running line.”
Brewin said Above Average was improving with racing.
“He has good gate speed, so we have used it to lead but have found he wants to wait for others when the pressure goes on,” Brewin said.
“At home, we have been getting him to take a sit and then come with a run, so when he has been in front, his inexperience meant he was waiting for a horse to race with over the final stages and their momentum took them past him.
“The one time we were able to drive him with a sit in the Sapling Stakes, he ran home powerfully.
“On Saturday, we’re hoping Jayden (driver Jayden Brewin) will be able to produce him late and hopefully he will take holding out.”
The Golden Nursery certainly looks a race with a host of chances.
The barrier draw of seven, outside the front row, has made it difficult for the Paul Cavallaro-trained-and-driven Culture King but he is a pacer improving every time he takes to the track.
Culture King has shown he can do it tough, and it would appear he will probably have to come from last, but it would be unwise to discount him.
The Desmond Glynn-trained Strongnbold was super impressive from gate one in his heat rating 1:59.0 and from gate five driver Jake Webster will no doubt be keen to go forward.
The bolter’s chance in the race could be Martys Party, trained by John Lee and to be driven by Tiffany Lee.
From gate eight, inside the second row, Martys Party should be able to get a soft run early and has shown he has a good sprint which could bring him into the finish.
Saturday night’s meeting is a feature race bonanza with five finals, the Helloworld Elizabeth Dash and the Parker Classic for the two-year-old trotters.
The Greg Rogers-trained-and-driven Kitsilano has won three of her four starts and looks the one to beat in the Maryborough Harness Racing Club Parker Classic (1800m).
The filly has beaten her local rivals easily and meets them on 20 and 10-metre better terms for last week’s win.
Purple Lantana, a Victorian now with Luke O’Neill, was well beaten at her only run but is definitely worthy of respect while Matthew Gath has Three One Two One, to be driven by Josh Holberton, but she looks to have the job ahead.
For all the winners, go to trotsguide.com.au to read form expert Ben Harding’s thoughts on the seven-race program with quality races throughout the night.
