Tisadream has managed just one third placing from three starts since resuming from a spell, but reinsman Aiden de Campo warned punters not to overlook the five-year-old when he contests the Chris Carr Pace over 2130m at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
De Campo pointed out that Tisadream, prepared in Capel by his father Andrew, was extremely unlucky when seventh behind Soho Wonder last Friday night.
Tisadream, who was restrained at the start from barrier seven, was eighth in the one-wide line at the bell and was unwinding a spirited finishing burst when he broke gear and galloped in the home straight.
“His was a really good run until he broke gear,” de Campo said. “He broke a breastplate, which caused the saddle to slip. If it hadn’t been for that mishap, he would have finished top three, second or third at worst. It was an encouraging run after disappointing efforts at his two previous starts after resuming from a spell.”
“This is a nice race this week, but if he is able to lead from barrier two, he’ll go really well. I’m not sure about Kimani’s gate speed from barrier one. I’ll just have to wait and see.”
Kimani’s trainer Gary Hall Snr said that the New Zealand-bred gelding had not before been drawn to lead. “But I’m sure he will go all right,” he said.
Kimani sustained a powerful finishing burst from fifth at the bell when second to Walkinshaw last Friday week. He was most impressive a week earlier when he was restrained at the start from barrier eight and was eighth at the bell before surging home, three wide, to win easily from Starlight Brigade and The Redmeemer.
Tisadream and Kimani are expected to receive stiff opposition from back-line runners El Jacko and Mister Ardee.
El Jacko, trained by Greg and Skye Bond, resumed after a spell last Friday week and disappointed in finishing tenth behind Maczaffair. He began from the prized No. 1 barrier, but he dropped his head and raced roughly at the start, allowing Overboard Again to race to the front.
Ryan Warwick then quickly moved El Jacko into the breeze before obtaining the one-out, one-back trail. He was forced wide at the 400m and resented this before taking the final turn awkwardly, thus losing momentum and dropping back.
He has won at 16 of his 41 starts and is capable of bouncing back to his best form. Mister Ardee, to be driven by Madeleine Young for trainer Matt Saw, is racing in great heart and should fight out the finish.
