WA Derby winner Major Trojan is set to make a highly anticipated return to racing in this Friday night’s Chandon Pace (2130m) at Gloucester Park.
The Art Major colt, a winner at four of 10 career starts to date, produced a stunning performance to win the time-honoured feature in April in what was just his fifth start in WA.
Major Trojan then defeated stablemate Wildwest, Franco Joaquin, Camluck King and Im Drinkindoubles in a trial at Byford on Sunday in preparation for his return on Friday night.
The Gary Hall Snr-trained three-year-old has drawn barrier two for Friday’s $30,000 event, with the in-form Hy Leexciting drawn to his inside.
Bechers Brook looms as one of the main threats to Major Trojan in barrier three, following his significantly improved second placing to Saying Grace last Friday.
Last start winner Roman Aviator starts from barrier six, while Dominate The Dojo has barrier 10.
2018 WA Derby winner King Of Swing also returns to the track after almost a month off and Hall Snr will be hoping for a change of luck with the four-year-old.
King Of Swing has placed at just one of his previous five starts, where difficult draws have played a significant part.
The son of Rocknroll Hanover has a tough draw to negate this week in barrier eight and meets a strong field in the Direct Trades Supply Pace (2130m).
Mister Ardee lines up from barrier one, while Chiaroscuro (three), Speed Man (four), Im Soxy (six) and Waylade (10) look set to provide King Of Swing solid opposition.
A field of eight will contest the Better Your Bet With TABtouch Free-For-All Pace (2130m) where Vultan Tin will be looking to record back-to-back wins.
Vultan Tin was impressive last week in winning over 2536m, following three weeks off.
The Phil Costello-trained pacer will start from barrier eight this Friday night where he comes up against Our Corelli (barrier three), who is looking for five straight wins.
Pinjarra Cup winner El Jacko will have his second start of the campaign from barrier four.
Elsewhere on the card, trainer Mike Reed will be hopeful Valentines Brook can bounce back from his shock defeat in last Friday’s APG Championship at the hands of Poisedtopounce.
Eight runners will contest the two-year-old event, with American Colt well placed to deliver trainers Greg and Skye Bond another two-year-old win from barrier two.
Reed also has Power And Grace and Pocket The Cash engaged from barrier five and six respectively.
