Classy young pacers Clarenden Valour and Bulletproof Boy renew their rivalry at Globe Derby Park on Friday night in the HRSA Three-Year-Old Colts & Geldings heat one (2230m).
As two-year-olds the pair clashed six times, with honours going to the Scott Ewen-trained and driven Bulletproof Boy.
With three wins from the occasions they've met, Bulletproof Boy took the points, but Clarenden Valour did finish in front of him in other races including a second to That’s Perfect in the Southern Cross final when Ewen’s pacer finished fourth.
As three-year-olds, they are both now back in form and go into Friday night’s race with wins at their last start.
The Claire Goble-trained Clarenden Valour did it tough at Globe Derby Park last Saturday sitting three-wide for the last lap but still managing to hold off Steinman.
On Monday, at Strathalbyn, Bulletproof Boy sprinted home well to run down Malone Ranger, which also competes on Friday from gate one.
Tactics will be interesting on Friday.
Bulletproof Boy, from gate six, has the pace to go forward, but Ewen would unlikely want to sit outside Malone Ranger for the longer trip, and instead may opt to go back, which could mean he will settle at the tail of the field.
Clarenden Valour, with Wayne Hill in the sulky from gate eight, has the speed to follow Tunza Tenacity which will come from gate two and should find himself midfield in the running line on settling down.
If that is the scenario, Ewen, no doubt would come forward with a lap to go to try and force Hill to do what he did last week and come out three wide for the last lap on Clarenden Valour which could see Bulletproof Boy prove too strong in the run to the finish.
It would be unwise to consider the race simply a match between those two as Malone Ranger, Betting Man and Masonjon are also worthy of consideration as is the Heather Stevens-trained Bettorhavtime which appears to have its chances lessened by gate seven.
The Bob Maloney-trained Malone Ranger, with Michael Smith to drive, looks the leader and could take running down.
Betting Man, owned by the late Doug Webster and with Jake Webster aboard, is an improver while Masonjon, trained by Stephen Papps and to be driven by Ken Rogers, has won two of its three starts and is resuming from a spell.
Three-year-old squaregaiter Heezaladiesman will be out to make it three wins straight in the Just Wrecking Toyota’s Trotters Handicap (2230m).
Trained and driven by Lane Johnson, Heezaladiesman will come off a 20-metre handicap but provided he has his mind on the job should be too good for his rivals.
In winning last Saturday, the three-year-old was a bit unruly at the start but off a handicap, should be better behaved.
Go to trotsguide.com.au to read form expert Ben Harding’s thoughts on the seven-race Globe Derby Park meeting with comments and selections for all races.
