Michael Young, the leading trainer in WA this year, is bubbling with enthusiasm over the prospects of Heavenly Gipsy when she resumes after an eleven-week absence in the $27,000 TABtouch Share My Bet Pace over 2130m at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
She will begin from the No. 5 barrier, with Gary Hall jnr keen to use the seven-year-old’s sparkling gate speed to advantage in a bid to lead all the way.
“At her latest start she led (from the No. 1 barrier) and beat Magnificent Storm, so that’s a good form line,” said Young.
Heavenly Gipsy rated 1.54.7 over 2130m when she beat Arma Einstein and Magnificent Storm on July 18. She sprinted over the final three 400m sections in 28.6sec., 27.7sec. and 28.7sec.
“She has been working well with Penny Black and should be fit enough,” said Young. “I expect her to lead and win.”
Young holds a strong hand in Friday night’s race in which Heavenly Gipsy will compete with stablemates Penny Black (Emily Suvaljko; barrier seven) and Princess Katie (Liam Elliott; barrier three).
Heavenly Gipsy will need to be at her top to beat the brilliant Greg and Skye Bond-trained Aardiebytheseaside, who will begin from the outside barrier in the field of eight.
Aardiebytheseaside impressed first-up three Fridays ago when she began from out wide at barrier nine and settled at the rear and was seventh at the bell before starting a three-wide move 650m from home and charged to the front with120m to travel to win by a length from Dame Valour, with Water Lou in third place.
“She has drawn the carpark, but it is a small field, and she is going really good,” said Roberts. “I expect her to go really good.”
Penny Black is also capable of a bold showing. She boasts a splendid record of 31 starts for 13 wins, seven seconds and three thirds for stakes of $248,398. She reappeared after a three-month absence last Friday week when she worked hard without cover and fought on gamely to finish third behind Mister Smartee and Captain Ravishing over 2130m.
Also adding considerable interest will be the return to racing of trainer-reinsman Shane Young’s outstanding mare Wonderful To Fly, who will begin from barrier six at her first run since she finished fifth behind Penny Black over 2130m on May 9.
Reinsman Kyle Harper is looking for a strong effort from the Murray Lindau-trained Beyond The Sea (barrier two), who will be having her third start after a 12-month absence.
“She is on the way up, and I wouldn’t be surprised if she runs a good race,” said Harper.
Trainer-reinsman Chris Voak has Sweet Vivienne racing with considerable zest, and the five-year-old has sound claims despite rising in class after recent wins over Hillview Bondi at Pinjarra and Gloucester Park.
