In-form reinsman Shannon Suvaljko has given punters an important lead by choosing to drive Clarenden Hustler in preference to Four Starzzz Forsa in the 2130m Caduceus Club Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Suvaljko handled both pacers when each turned in an eye-catching performance to finish in second place at their most recent outing. Clarenden Hustler, trained by Debbie Padberg, revealed explosive gate speed to lead from barrier seven in a 1730m event last Friday week. After quarters of 28.6sec., 29.4sec. and 27.9sec. the chestnut gelding, a recent arrival from South Australia, wilted slightly in a final quarter of 29.3sec. to finish a half-length second to Chok Chai.
Four Starzzz Forsa started from barrier six in a 2130m event last Friday night and impressed when he was ninth on the pegs at the bell before finishing strongly to be second to Be On Guard.
“I have chosen Clarenden Hustler ahead of Four Starzzz Forsa because he is the better horse,” was Suvaljko’s simple explanation. “Clarenden Hustler will win two or three in town. He’s a good horse, as good as Always Arjay. Once he becomes properly acclimatised and learns the pattern of WA racing, he’ll win races. He works as good as Neighlor.
“From the back line this week I’ll driver him quietly and let him sprint home,” Suvaljko said. He should run in the top three.”
Asked for his best prospect this week, Suvaljko said: “Take the place treble Neighlor, Clarenden Hustler and Absolution.”
Suvaljko had the choice of driving Tactile Sensation and Another Ajay in race eight, the Join The Caduceus Club Today Handicap, and he opted for the Peter Tilbrook-trained Tactile Sensation, a five-year-old with a losing sequence of 31. Ten-year-old Another Ajay, a winner at Northam four starts ago for Serpentine trainer Matt Scott and a last-start third behind Back To The Beach and Debt Free Charlie at Gloucester Park last Friday night, will be driven by Michael Grantham.
Grantham has high hopes of notching another win with Miss Sangrial, who is favourably drawn at barrier two in the Sports Daily On TABradio Pace. Miss Sangrial, trained by Michael Brennan, impressed when she led for the first 550m and then trailed the pacemaker Veiled Secret before running home strongly to win from that mare over 2130m at a 1.55.7 rate last Friday night.
Miss Sangrial is capable of winning again, either by leading or by racing with a sit. She is likely to be tested by smart mares Gotta Go Gabbana, Mary Catherine and Lady De La Renta.
