Gloucester Park Photo by Pacepix
Confidence Key For Blameitonthenight
A confidence boosting win has Blameitonthenight primed to run a big race in tomorrow night’s Pure Steel (2536m) at Gloucester Park, according to reinsman Stuart McDonald.
The six-year-old started this campaign in a rich vein of form, before he was beaten as favourite on April 11.
Blameitonthenight’s subsequent four starts saw him gradually build his confidence back, before returning to the winner’s list last Friday.
The Gary Hall Snr-trained pacer will now be out to make it back-to-back wins in tomorrow night’s $30,000 feature.
McDonald, who is yet to drive Blameitonthenight this campaign, said it was pleasing to see the gelding winning again.
“He just had that really hard run five or six starts back and it just took a little bit to get over it,” McDonald told TABradio.
“We had to give him those confidence runs that he had to get him back to his best form.
“Last week he showed what he could do when he’s right.”
While Blameitonthenight was able to lead last Friday, he’s not expected to be afforded the same luxuries tomorrow night.
Blameitonthenight will start from barrier six, with Bet On The River and Cams Boulder drawn underneath him in barrier one and six respectively.
McDonald said he would look to drive positively tomorrow night.
“We will probably have to slide forward,” he said.
“There’s a bit of gate speed underneath us.
“I’m not sure if we can get the front, but he should be sitting pretty close.
“We won’t be going down wondering.”
Cams Boulder is the $4 TABtouch favourite for the event, with Blameitonthenight on the second line of betting at $4.60
Achushla Machree, My Silver Spoon, Petes Honour and Bet On The River are all in single figures.
McDonald also Sweet Duncan looking to make it four consecutive wins when he lines up in the Steelos Open Every Race Night Pace (2130m).
Mares Set To Have Free-For-All To Themselves
Star mares Penny Black and Aardiebytheseaside are set to do battle for the first time since last month’s Breeders Stakes in tomorrow night’s Christmas In July Book Now Pace (2536m) at Gloucester Park.
The pair occupied the top two placings in last month’s feature event but have taken a different path to tomorrow night’s clash.
Penny Black finished second in the Narrogin Cup and Manea Classic at Narrogin and Bunbury respectively, while Aardiebytheseaside won stylishly in a small field on May 16.
Aardiebytheseaside has the advantage of barrier one in tomorrow night’s event, which sees the mares well treated by the race conditions.
Aaradiebytheseaside’s co-trainer Greg Bond said while the draw favoured his mare, the longer trip would suit Penny Black.
“The 2500 makes it an even contest,” Bond told Racing WA Harness.
“She’s trained on well since her last start.
“She’s got the gate speed to hold up and that’s what we will endeavour to do.”
Deni Roberts again teams up with Aardiebytheseaside, while Gary Hall Jnr replaces Emily Suvaljko on Penny Black.
Aardiebytheseaside is the $1.45 TABtouch favourite for the event, ahead of Penny Black at $3.20.
Bond said he was most pleased with the manner Aardiebytheseaside won at her most recent outing.
“We obviously sat her up on that occasion,” he said.
“When Deni got her out wide, she handled the bends well.
“She’s a big mare and Deni said she didn’t miss a beat.”
While the mares are all the rage in the $30,000 event, the Bond stable also have Manea Classic winner Lusaka set to line up from barrier eight.
The son of Sweet Lou relished the strong tempo in the Manea Classic to run down Penny Black and break a frustrating run of feature race placings.
Bond said Lusaka would likely need a similar set of circumstances to win tomorrow night.
“They ran good tempo at Bunbury and he’s always very lethal in those circumstances,” he said.
“If it’s run upside down, he’s in a position to take advantage of that again.
“He’s not without a winning chance.”
Bond said he hoped to target Lusaka and Gee Heza Sport at next month’s Winter Cup.
