Ahead of tonight’s Pearl Classic meeting at Gloucester Park, get the last word from all the key players. Race 5 is the running of the feature event, taken out by Theo Aviator last year, pictured above.
RACE 1 – TABTOUCH PACE
1.Luke Edwards (Regal Ambition): “Working well. Has the draw he needs over the short trip.”
2.Chris Voak (Hes Royal Blue): “He has good gate speed. He will lead. His best form is over the short trips.”
6.Kyle Harper (Ourboybart): “Running out of his skin. Unlucky last week when he came home in 56 after being three deep with a trail. Good eachway chance.”
8.Stephen Reed (Lord Rosco): “Looks hard over a mile from barrier eight. Will leave it up to Dylan Egerton-Green to work it out.”
9.Justin Prentice (Back In Twenty): “Working well after a freshen-up. Draw too tough. Wait for a better one.”
10.Ross Olivieri (Dennis): “Good draw and a good distance. Don’t know if he’s drawn to follow the right horse.”
11.Gary Hall Snr (Balcatherine): “Needs luck. I don’t like the back line draw over 1700.”
12.Jack Justins (Carramar Arapaho): “Expecting a good showing if a bit goes his way.”
RACE 2 – WESTRAL PACE
1.Matt Scott (Neighlor): “Bad draws and no luck have hurt him. He will be leading and given his chance.”
2.Ross Olivieri (Madame Meilland): “Working terrifically at home. She’s ready to step up.”
4.Gary Hall Snr (Extreme Prince): “Can’t do a lot of work. He needs to cross and lead to be a chance.”
6.Chris Voak (Attack On Command): “Tricky draw. If the race is run to suit he can finish off well.”
10.Luke Edwards (Allwood Peacemaker): “Perfect draw and distance for him.”
11.Gary Hall Snr (Mr Kiwi): “Horse is going okay. He’s in a better class than most of these.”
12.Gary Hall Snr (Tuas Delight): “Would need a lot of luck.”
RACE 3 – RETRAVISION PACE
1.Michael Grantham (Oneonthewood): “Happy with last run. He was still finding the line. I can always do enough early to hold everything. It depends who Josh wants to hand up to.”
2.Gary Hall Snr (Mister Bushido): “Should lead. I think he can lead and win.”
5.Kim Prentice (Soho Thunderstruck): “I can see myself sitting outside Jnr (Mister Bushido). Think he will run a good race.”
6.Luke Edwards (Bracken Sky): “Was in a slow race first-up. Tricky draw. Going really well. One to watch.
9.Matt Scott (Brookies Jet): “Racing well. Bad draw.”
10.Matt Scott (Qtown Rip Roaring): “Racing well. Just needs an ounce of luck.”
12.Gary Hall Snr (Our Rhythm N Blues): “Racing well. Perennial bridesmaid.”
RACE 4 – GARRARDS HORSE AND HOUND PACE
1.Kyle Harper (Parisian Partygirl): “Horse driven better with a sit. She’s racing out of her skin. Unlucky last week. Definitely in the right form for this draw. My best for the night.”
3.Michael Grantham (Valbonne): “I was really happy with his last run when he caught on the back of Bletchley Park. I think Mike will want me to put the handlebars down and go straight to the rail and I think it should be game over.”
5.Aldo Cortopassi (Marquisard): “Harder this week and will have to try and find a spot off the arm and have one run at them.”
7.Chris Voak (Our Virtuoso): “Tricky draw. Has got gate speed to put in a forward spot.”
9.Gary Hall Snr (Just Rockon Bye): “When she draws a barrier she will be competitive.”
10.Jack Justins (Pradas Ideal Dahling): “Needs luck from the inside draw.”
RACE 5 – PERTH PLASTERBOARD CENTRE PEARL CLASSIC
1.Justin Prentice (Gardys Legacy): “Won his heat well and has a nice draw to be hard to beat.”
4.Michael Grantham (The Code Breaker): “He keeps developing. I was happy he followed through hard (last start). I’d say Mike would want him to flop off the arm. There’s only one on the back line so I’d say we’d be poking for the pegs. I’d say there’d be a little bit of speed. Hopefully he can be top five.”
5.Kim Prentice (Sukohvey Windman): “If we can find a nice spot early he should hit the line well and hopefully win some prize money for the Abbotts.”
8.Shannon Suvaljko (Valentines Brook): “(On the draw) – it was disappointing because I thought he had a really good chance. He’s a nice horse and very versatile.”
9.Justin Prentice (Aristocratic Star): “Tough draw. Went super last start and a repeat of that run would give him a good each way chance.”
10.Chris Voak (Classic Choice): “Good place chance. Looks Gardys Legacy’s race to lose. If this horse is on his best behaviour I’d be disappointed if he didn’t run top three.”
RACE 6 – DIRECT TRADES SUPPLY PACE
3.Aldo Cortopassi (Dreamy Nights): “Looks a better race for him. Will run the arm and try to cross.”
5.Justin Prentice (Always An Honour): “Racing well. Not sure what he will do early. Will leave it up to Jnr.”
7.Greg Bond (Ocean Ridge): “Working well and looks a good chance.”
8.Greg Bond (Mighty Santana): “Working well and, again, looks a good chance.”
9.Jack Justins (Mighty Flying Deal): “Barrier nine for a fourth start in a row. Hoping he fairs better next week.”
RACE 7 – ETCH COATINGS FILLIES AND MARES PACE
1.Michael Grantham (Countess Grace): “We lead tonight. She’s only ever won in front. Her first time she’s come up with a barrier for a while so I think we’ll be leading.”
4.Luke Edwards (Leap Of Faith): “Had feet issues and missed the Race For Roses. Really happy with her now and will run a super race.”
5.Ross Olivieri (Queen Shenandoah): “Trialled really well. Might need the run but should still go well.”
RACE 8 – SIMMONDS STEEL PACE
7.Stephen Reed (Bletchley Park): “Happy with him. Should be a good chance if he can work forward.”
9.Greg Bond (Kingslayer): “He’s also working well and is another who looks a good chance.”
RACE 9 – THE WEST AUSTRALIAN TROT
3.Gary Hall Snr (Princess Mila): “Outstanding last start. She’s very fast. The standing start is a slight concern but if she gets away within three lengths of them she should win.”
5.Michael Grantham (One Bid Buys): “She’s come back from a spell. Not sure where Bob will have her at. She’s honest.”
RACE 10 – CHANNEL 7 PACE
1.Michael Grantham (Golden State): “Tonight is the night for him to lead. Bully might be too classy for us but we won’t let him past my wheel at any stage if I can allow that.”
2.Shannon Suvaljko (Tommy Be Good): “He’s racing well. Faster they go, the better he will run.”
3.Ross Olivieri (Iceenothink): “Don’t know how the race will be run. He’s in terrific form. Don’t expect to beat Chicago Bull but it would be nice.”
4.Aldo Cortopassi (Im Soxy): “Hard to see where he will land. Midfield would be perfect. Place chance if the tempo is right.”
6.Gary Hall Snr (Chicago Bull): “Should win. He’s getting better every run now. Race depends on whether Our Jimmy Johnstone comes out humming.”
