David Miles, pictured here with wife Lisa, will be out to keep Roy Hobbs unbeaten record this prep in tact. Photo by Gary Wild
Saturday night might be all about the Pryde’s EasiFeed Great Southern Star but there will be a showdown between two of the most promising trotters in Australia that may steal the focus.
Blitzthemcalder has been near unbeatable when he has gaited truly, however in saying that he has had tractability issues.
Roy Hobbs on the other hand, has never had the boom of Blitzthemcalder; he toiled away in similar races last season yet never received the fanfare of his rival.
Their head-to-head record currently stands at two a piece but after a brilliant David Miles drive gave Blitzethemcalder next to no chance first-up, the two haven’t lined up in the same race.
Miles believes his squaregaiter is starting to turn the corner and is racing up to his best this season.
“Blitzthemcalder, we got him the other week, but I don’t think there is a lot between them so barrier draws play a bit of a part,” Miles said.
“We might get on the gate on Saturday night and we might have the better of him and cross him. I’m not saying it will definitely happen but it’s a possibility.
“I don’t think I can cross Bellmac Kody though so he will probably be first to the fence and Brian Gath doesn’t like handing up, it really will be a tactical race.”
Ross Payne trains Blitzthemcalder and he shared Miles’ opinion that the barrier may be vital come Saturday night.
He has signalled his intention to make sure the speed won’t drop over the 1,720-metre race, something that occurred first-up.
“No way that will be happening; even Chris (Alford) said that there is no way that is ever going to happen again,” Payne said.
“The draw actually suits us; he will just press forward and make sure the pace is strong all the way. It’s going to turn into the survival of the fittest; Roy Hobbs is probably the one to beat but the way the race is going to be run we will take the sting out of most of them.”
Both trainers however believe their squaregaiters are going into the contest better than ever.
Payne declared that regular driver Chris Alford reported Blitzthemcalder has never worked better than he did last Thursday while Miles has been able to pump plenty of work into Roy Hobbs, priming him for this.
Blitzthemcalder opened a $2.50 favourite with TAB fixed odds before drifting slightly to $2.60; whereas Roy Hobbs has been a genuine market mover with his price being slashed from $4.80 to $3.80.
After a crushing victory at Maryborough today, The Boss Man remains steady at $3.60 and second favourite.
The Alan Mance Holden Prince Of Speed is race 5 on the night at 8pm.
