Trainer-driver Cody Wallrodt is confident Northam Cup winner Babyface Adda can make a winning return in tonight’s Follow The Stars Standing At Medowie Lodge NSW Pace (2130m) at Gloucester Park.
The gelding has drawn barrier one for his return and looks set to get a golden opportunity to lead all the way.
Wallrodt accepted into the Group 2 James Brennan Memorial (2536m) a fortnight ago but opted against starting his stable star in the $50,000 event.
His patience appears to have paid off by striking a significantly lesser field than the one he would’ve encountered on September 11.
Wallrodt said he didn’t want to start Babyface Adda against star pacers Vampiro and Magnificent Storm first-up.
“He’s come back in really good order,” he told TABradio
“He seems to be bigger and better.
“He’d just gone off a bit in his work and it was probably a bit of blessing in disguise because I was able to get more into him on the track.
“What he’s done since has made me really happy.”
Despite not taking on the open class horses tonight, Babyface Adda is still expected to face strong opposition in last start winners Walsh and Vespa, who have drawn barrier two and three respectively.
Wallrodt said he hoped to take advantage of the draw tonight and then look to progress on to stronger races later in the campaign.
“He should have the gate speed to hold and I reckon he will be hard to run down,” he said.
“If he was to get the cash, his campaign will start to get a lot harder.
“He’s on that mark now where there’s not much racing for him going forward so you have to start looking towards Free-For-All soon.
“Obviously it’s a fair step up.
“He’s still got to improve a fair bit.”
Wallrodt also has the in-form Allwood Glow engaged in the Fly Like An Eagle Leading National 2YO Sire – The Warwick (2130m).
Wallrodt said he was happy with the seven-year-old going into the $30,000 feature but wasn’t sure what tactics he would employ from barrier three.
