Harper Oozes Pearl Classic Confidence
15 June, 2018
Harness
Trainer-reinsman Kyle Harper is confident his exciting speedster Franco Edward can take advantage of his coveted draw and win tonight’s much-anticipated final of the $100,000 Pearl Classic (2130m) at Gloucester Park.
Billed as one of the best juvenile races seen at Gloucester Park for a number of years, Franco Edward, a brilliant winner at his past two starts, has drawn the prized no 1 barrier and will start a hot TAB favourite.
“He certainly gets his chance and it’s his race to lose,” Harper told Tabradio.
“If he gets out the same way as he did at Pinjarra he should hold up pretty comfortably.
“If he holds up you would imagine he would be winning the race.
“The start is going to be all important.”
After running second on debut at Bunbury, Franco Edward underlined his credentials when he set the pace and won easily in a 1.54.2 rate at Pinjarra.
He then won his heat of the Pearl Classic in comfortable fashion at Gloucester Park, but in somewhat of a surprise he was beaten out from barrier one.
Harper said there genuine reasons for Franco Edwards’ lacklustre gate speed.
“He had excuses,” Harper said.
“We had a mix-up with the splash sheet on him.
“He never had one before and it started touching him on the rump.
“It just unsettled him at the gate and I wasn’t really comfortable for him to come out.
“He sort of wanted to, but became unbalanced.
“Without the splash sheet we shouldn’t have any issue.
“He will be a different horse tonight and a lot quicker out of the gate.”
Trainer Mike Reed is hoping to land his third Pearl Classic with Bletchley Park, who looms as the biggest threat to Franco Edward after drawing favourably in barrier three.
Sitting behind Franco Edward as the second favourite, the talented colt stamped his claims for the final after posting a winning hat trick last week, cruising to the line easily.
Reed, who won the Pearl Classic with Rich And Spoilt (1999) and Willowleaf Boy (2003), says Bletchley Park is capable of crossing to the front.
“I reckon he will come out pretty quick,” Reed said.
“We have never really chased him out.
“We will be coming out to have a look for sure.
“But, we don’t have to lead to win.”
Julio Santarelli