Ana Malak is an inexperienced and laid-back pacer who has not revealed sparkling gate speed and has not led all the way in any of his seven starts that have produced five wins and two placings.
The New Zealand-bred stallion has drawn the prized No. 1 barrier in the $125,000 Yes Loans Four-Year-Old Classic over 2130m at Gloucester Park on Friday night and leading reinsman Ryan Warwick is expected to take full advantage of the draw by attempting to hold up at the start and then set the pace in the Group 1 classic.
The exciting son of Bettors Delight has been driven conservatively in his brief career in which he has created a wonderful impression with his tractability and his determination, will to win and brilliant turn of foot.
Ana Malak, prepared by leading trainers Greg and Skye Bond, goes into this week’s race with only one start in Australia in modest company at Pinjarra last Monday week when he was not bustled out from barrier five and settled down in sixth place before enjoying a perfect trail in the one-out, one-back position.
Warwick sent him forward with a sizzling burst three wide 650m from home to take the lead 100m later. Ana Malak then careered away from his seven rivals and rated 1.56 over 2185m in winning, unextended, by more than 12 lengths from Eely Point Bomber. The final three quarters were run in 28.7sec., 28.6sec. and 28.2sec.
That was his first appearance for three months when he was not driven out hard from barrier five before mustering good early pace to take the lead after 120m. He then surrendered the lead 200m later and sat behind the pacemaker Wrangler before easing off the pegs with 300m to travel and taking the lead 150m later and winning by four and a half lengths at a 1.57.4 rate over 1980m, with a final quarter of 27.8sec.
At his previous outing, over 2200m at Invercargill on January 27, Ana Malak gave an outstanding performance to finish second to the brilliant Sheriff. He started from the outside of the back line in a field of 12 and settled down last, almost 15 lengths behind the leader, Sheriff. He was last with 750m to travel and eighth at the 300m before going five wide on the home turn and surging home in grand style.
He was not pushed out at the start at any of his four previous starts which produced three easy victories and an excellent dead-heat for third behind Anthem over 1950m at Addington when he was restrained to the rear from barrier five on the back line.
The Bonds hold a powerful hand in Friday night’s event and Warwick gave punters a strong lead by electing to drive Ana Malak in preference to Bettor Aim (six wins from nine starts) and Mighty Conqueror (seven wins from eight starts). Warwick’s only success in the Four-Year-Old Classic was behind the Steve Burton-trained Gee Whiz Fizz in 2005.
Colin Brown will drive Bettor Aim from the No. 5 barrier and Dylan Egerton-Green will be in the sulky behind Mighty Conqueror from the No. 2 barrier on the back line. Mighty Conqueror has not been extended in winning at each of his four starts in Western Australia. He led and beat Bechers Brook by two and a half lengths in the $50,000 Group 2 Four-Year-Old Championship last Friday week.
Gary Hall Snr, who has been successful in the Four-Year-Old Classic eight times with Love of Glory (1990), Valley Champ (1993), Slick Vance (1995), The Falcon Strike (2001), Im Themightyquinn (2008), Waylade (2014), Beaudiene Boaz (2015) and Chicago Bull (2016) has four runners in this year’s classic - Think About Me (barrier two), Benhope Rulz (three), King of Swing (eight) and Ideal Liner (inside of the back line).
Gary Hall Jnr has opted to drive the inexperienced Ideal Liner, who should enjoy a perfect passage and is capable of unwinding a spirited finishing burst. Stuart McDonald will drive Think About Me, Clint Hall will handle Behope Rulz and Kim Prentice will handle the 2017 WA Derby winner King of Swing.
Henley Brook trainer Mike Reed, who has won the classic with Manageable (1988) and Bonavista Bay (2010), will be represented by Golden State (barrier four) and Bechers Brook (outside of the back line).
Mark Reed, son of the trainer, has chosen to drive Golden State, and Shannon Suvaljko has been engaged for Bechers Brook.
Initially, Mark Reed has been in two minds about the tactics he will use with Golden State, a winner at seven of his 17 starts and disappointing with last placings at his two latest appearances.
“Golden State hasn’t been himself at his past couple of starts and I’m hoping that Dad can turn him around, because if the real Golden State turns up, he would be right in it up to his eyeballs,” he said. “Golden State is very quick out of the gate and I’m not too sure about Ana Malak’s gate speed.
“I’m still not sure what I’ll do, but I really wouldn’t mind driving him, sit and kick, so we might drive him for a bit of luck.”
Adding to the intrigue of what should be an exciting spectacle is the appearance of Jack Mac, an enigmatic superstar who after five unplaced efforts in New Zealand has raced 16 times in Western Australia for 15 wins and one second placing.
Jack Mac has been raced sparingly over the past 12 months and his part-owner and trained Barry Howlett remains reluctant to discuss the horse’s wellbeing and prospects from the outside barrier (No. 9) on the front line.
Jack Mac has raced four times this season and has not been fully tested and he certainly has the raw ability to overcome the distinct disadvantage of the outside draw. Chris Lewis, who has driven the horse in all of his 16 WA starts, is a big-race specialist and he is sure to pick the right moment to issue a strong challenge.
Lewis has won the Four-Year-Old Classic with Village Kid (1984), Tamai Boy (1985), Vero Prince (1986), Flashing Star (1994) and Saab (1998). He combined with trainer Ross Olivieri for Saab’s win, and Olivieri, who also trained the 2010 winner Crombie, will be hoping for a touch of luck with his talented stallion Stefsbest, who will be handled by Chris Voak from the awkward No. 7 barrier. Stefsbest has been most impressive in winning stylishly at his past three appearances.
