Exciting pacer Lennytheshark pictured winning a heat of the Victoria Derby last year for driver Chris Alford.
The marbles have fallen the way of David Aiken ahead of Friday night’s Group 2 University Foods 4YO and 5YO Championship at Melton’s Tabcorp Park.
The Avenel trainer has two runners in the event, with Lennytheshark likely to start tote elect for driver Chris Alford after snaring the coveted pole position at this morning’s barrier draw.
Lennytheshark, a four-year-old son of Four Starzzz Shark, has returned to the track in great nick this year, winning his past two starts in impressive style.
Last time out at Melton he clocked a mile rate of 1:55.7 and won by over 10m, the triumph coming a week after a first-up 22.1m victory over Sapphire Swayze on May 9.
Stablemate Cold Major will start from barrier three on Friday night with Joshua Aiken in the sulky.
The five-year-old Art Major horse was shooting for three wins on the trot last start against a supremely talented field, eventually having to settle for fourth behind Wartime Sweetheart, Five Star Anvil and Smoken Up.
Kerryn Manning’s in-form gelding Gotta Go Yanky will be looking to register his fourth win on the trot and has drawn barrier two for the Championship. The son of American Ideal was too strong for Highview Conall last time out in 1:55.5.
Petstock Ballarat Cup hero Restrepo has drawn four for his resumption to racing, the Emma Stewart-trained talent to be driven by Gavin Lang.
Dean Braun will have three runners in the nine-horse field, Inky Cullen (barrier five), Magical Telf (barrier seven) and Chilli Palmer (barrier nine).
Daryl Douglas will drive the Allan McDonough-trained last-start Maryborough winner Classy Guy from position six, while the inside-back-row draw has gone to Michael Barby-trained Daylesford pacer It Is Billy, to be driven by Anne-Maree Conroy.
The University Foods 4YO and 5YO Championship will be run at 8.14pm.
