Prentice To Rate Oaks Hope
24 April, 2018
Harness
Justin Prentice is banking on Rosies Ideal to take advantage of a favourable draw and stamp her claims for the Group 1 WA Oaks at Gloucester Park on May 4.
Prentice says Friday’s WA Oaks Prelude will be a stern test for Rosies Ideal, but aided by barrier one, he’s confident his filly can measure up to the class.
Rosies Ideal underlined her promise in last year’s 2YO season when she took out the $35,000 Gold Bracelet (2130m) for Pinjarra trainer Shane Young.
After she transferred to Prentice’s Bunbury stable she won first-up at Pinjarra before running a sound fifth Liberty Rose at Gloucester Park on April 6.
Prentice says Rosies Ideal, a winner at four of ten starts, has a perfect chance from her starting position to make an impact before the WA Oaks.
“I think it’s definitely her best chance to show if she is up to the best ones or not,” Prentice told Tabradio.
“I was happy with her run in the prelude a couple of weeks back when she pulled up like she needed the run.
“It was only her second start for me, but she made good ground from the back and they only got away the last little bit.
“It’s a good field, but some of the better ones have drawn wide, so we have to take advantage of the one.
“She can run solid time and on the fence at GP (Gloucester Park) over 2100m I think she will be hard to catch.”
Prentice will partner Rosies Ideal. Tom Buchanan will drive stable mate De La Tourbie, drawn in barrier four.
Prentice is also confident Rocknroll Lincoln will be hard to run down in the Westral Security Doors & Screens Pace (2130m).
Rocknroll Lincoln won successive races at Pinjarra and Narrogin and was narrowly beaten at Gloucester Park last month.
Prentice said despite a three week gap between runs, Rocknroll Lincoln, to jump from gate two, is poised for victory.
“The barrier draw looks good and hopefully we can find the front,” Prentice said.
“With Bunbury called off we didn’t get a run on Saturday night.
“He should take some beating out in front and be hard to catch.”
Julio Santarelli