Woodley is impressed with the five-year-old?s frontrunning ability.
Morgan Woodley has given punters an important lead by opting to drive Argyle Red in preference to Vultan Tin in the first qualifying heat of the Westside Auto Wholesale Clarke Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Argyle Red, trained at Pinjarra by Rob MacDonald, has drawn the coveted No. 1 barrier, and Vultan Tin, trained at Coolup by Phil Costello, is favourably drawn at the No. 2 barrier.
Woodley chose Argyle Red because he is impressed with the five-year-old’s frontrunning ability. He has driven Argyle Red eight times for four wins and one placings, including a stylish all-the-way victory from barrier one over 2130m two starts ago. A week before that win, Woodley was in the sulky when Argyle Red worked hard without cover before winning in convincing style from McClinchie over 1730m.
Woodley has driven Vultan Tin 51 times for seven wins and 15 placings, including an all-the-way win over 2536m from barrier two five starts ago. Chris Voak has completed a term of suspension and will handle Vultan Tin on Friday night.
Argyle Red and Vultan Tin will not have things all their own way, with strong opposition expected from several pacers, especially Twoandahalf Tigers, Gaz Wannabet, Char Do Neigh and Bad Round.
Twoandahalf Tigers, trained by Gary Hall sen., is wonderfully consistent and can never be left out of calculations. He finished solidly along the inside when fourth behind Kiwi Legend and Bungalow Bill last Friday night.
Gaz Wannabet, trained by Greg and Skye Bond, also rarely performs below par. He will be driven by Ryan Bell, who replaces regular reinsman Ryan Warwick, who was suspended for causing interference in the final race last Friday night. Gaz Wannabet raced three wide for most of the 2190m journey when an extremely close second to Must Be Nice at Northam at his latest appearance.