Thompson Holds the Whip Hand

11 October 2018 | Ken Casellas
Logo
Liam Neil...

Liam Neil... Photo by Scott Hamilton Media

Astute Byford trainer David Thompson holds a strong hand in the opening event at Gloucester Park on Friday night with three runners in the 2130m Retravision Westbred Pace and in-form young reinsman Dylan Egerton-Green has given punters a valuable lead by choosing to drive Liam Neil in preference to stablemates in preference to Whoswhointhezoo and Our Perkins.

Thompson has got away to a flying start in the 2018-19 season with six wins and three placings from his first 12 starters, while Egerton-Green is in seventh position in the Statewide drivers’ premiership table with seven winners and 31 placegetters.

Four-year-old Liam Neil is in sparkling form, with three wins and a last-start third to The Art Form from his past four starts. He will start from barrier six in the field of nine, with Whoswhointhezoo (barrier two) and Our Perkins (three) are better drawn.

Stuart McDonald will drive Whoswhointhezoo, an all-the-way winner over subsequent city winner Lot Twenty One two starts ago, and Aiden de Campo has been engaged for Our Perkins, who led and won for Egerton-Green at Pinjarra three starts ago.

Liam Neil is by Modern Art and is out of Jane Elouise, a winner of four races from 14 starts, including the group 3 Sales Classic for two-year-old fillies at Gloucester Park in February 2006. Liam Neil is a half-brother to three winners, including Soho Jackman, who earned $282,518 from 26 wins and 25 placings from 94 starts.

Liam Neil is the youngest runner in Friday night’s race, which promises to provide a keen struggle for early ascendancy between the polemarker Bhagwan (Mitch Miller) and the massive gelding Whoswhointhezoo. Liam Neil possesses a strong finishing burst and he and he and the Aiden Warwick-trained Hastalavista will have many admirers.

Hastalavista, who will be driven by Aldo Cortopassi, is awkwardly drawn at barrier eight, but the six-year-old has the ability to overcome this significant disadvantage. He was placed once from four starts as a four-year-old and reappeared in August after a 13-month absence. His six outings in this campaign have produced five wins and a second placing.

The Neil Lloyd-trained Bhagwan is an M2-class performer and the noted frontrunner is sure to appreciate meeting lower-assessed rivals on extremely favourable terms.

 

Related News

20 September 2024
Kyvalley Hotspur sharpens form in NZ as Dominion Trot test looms
The Brent Lilley-prepared Kyvalley Hotspur is set to target New Zealand’s $400,000 Dominion Trot on November 12. The squaregaiter has been spending some time across the Tasman since his last start win in the Bendigo Trotters Cup on April 26.
20 September 2024
Sectional stars stepping out at Melton on Saturday
When looking at performances of horses, the top runners are often supported by their great sectionals. However, sometimes a golden nugget can come from finding the sectional stars that would otherwise sneak through under the radar. Below are the best sectionally performing horses racing at Melton Saturday...
20 September 2024
Trial File: Unraced gelding weaves his way into the file this week
Unraced Gelding Leniu goes straight into the blackbook of Harness Racing Victoria form guru Craig Rail. “Leniu is an unraced gelding for trainer Ian Ward and was able to lead throughout in reasonable time,” Rail said. Rail also added Schwarz and Enchauffour to his file this week.
20 September 2024
Drivers announced for 2024 Australian Female Drivers Championship
The Launceston Pacing Club will host the nation’s most talented reinswomen next month when the Australian Female Drivers Championship takes place on Sunday night, 20 October, 2024. Tasracing has announced the two drivers selected by each state to take part in the series. TAS Tarn Ford and Olivia...
20 September 2024
Fans Will Have To Wait Just A Bit Longer
CHAMPION trotter Just Believe will head straight to the $75,000 Group 1 Bill Collins Trotters’ Sprint at Melton on October 12. But star stablemate Better Eclipse looks set to tackle the $75,000 Group 2 Kilmore Cup next Friday night. Trainer Jess Tubbs updated plans ahead of the pair heading to...
Click for more