Star reinsman Chris Voak was nominated for four mares in the $17,600 Simmonds Steel Free-For-All at Gloucester Park on Friday night and he has given punters a good lead by opting to handle My Prayer in preference to Queen Shenandoah, Batavia Silverline and Millwood Gucci.
It was a tough decision. He has driven Queen Shenandoah at her past five starts for wins at Pinjarra and Gloucester Park, he drove Batavia Silverline when she led and finished second to Manning at Pinjarra on Monday afternoon and was in the sulky behind Millwood Gucci at her past three outings, for a second to Miss Lamarr and a third to Bad Round.
Voak was impressed with the performance of the Barry Howlett-trained My Prayer when she was a $34 chance from the outside barrier in a field of nine in a 2130m event last Friday night. Four-year-old My Prayer raced in last position before flashing home with a powerful four-wide late burst to finish fourth behind Tiffany Rose.
“My Prayer really flooded home when the last 800m was covered in 55.9sec. and it was a really good run,” said Voak. “This week I feel that it will be a hot affair. I think that there will be a lot of pace in the race and My Prayer should get a soft trip, either on the leader’s back or three back on the pegs. So, she should get a conservative run and, hopefully, she finishes like she did last week.”
Batavia Silverline, ideally drawn at barrier one, will be driven by Michael Grantham, Chris Lewis will handle Queen Shenandoah and Maddison Brown has been engaged for Millwood Gucci.
Hardest for My Prayer to beat is the Aiden de Campo-trained Mandy Joan, who will start from barrier five. She was favourite at $1.20 in a $24,000 event for mares last Friday night when she started from the No. 2 barrier and was beaten out by Tiffany Rose.
Mandy Joan worked hard in the breeze outside Tiffany Rose and fought on grandly when second to that mare. “She went super,” said de Campo. “It was unfortunate that we were crossed early. Her work this morning (Tuesday) was good and I can’t see why she won’t run another good race this week from a tricky barrier.”
De Campo will also be represented in this race with Delightfulreaction, who will start from barrier six and will be driven by Mark Johnson. “She was found a little bit wanting when up against the boys last start, but she always acquits herself well in mares’ company,” said de Campo.
Voak has seven drives at Friday night’s meeting and, apart from My Prayer, he considers he has solid each-way prospects with Boom Time (race three), Ultimate Offer (race seven) and Star of Diamonds (race eight). He also reckons Captain Mannering (race two), Gangbuster (race four) and Vultan Tin (race nine) have sound place prospects.
“Boom Time has an awkward draw (barrier six) and he will need luck,” Voak said. “However, he does have the ability to overcome the draw.
“Ultimate Offer will start from 10 metres in the 2503m stand and he should fight out the finish, while Star of Diamonds has a good chance from the inside of the back line in the race for three-year-old fillies. She just needs to get lucky, late. She has beaten Double Expresso twice and is capable of winning.”
Double Expresso, trained by Ross Olivieri and the State’s best-performed filly, faces a stern test from the outside (barrier No. 9) in the 2130m event. However, she has loads of ability and is capable of overcoming the disadvantage of the outside barrier.
