Barrier One For Shockwave On Return
Group 1 winner Shockwave has had an early win over archrival Chicago Bull ahead of this Friday’s Winter Cup (2536m) at Gloucester Park, drawing barrier one for the feature event.
The five-year-old is set to make his first appearance since finishing third in last year’s Retravision-Fremantle Cup (2536m) and will provide the testing material in the $25,000 event.
Prior to his third in the Fremantle Cup, Shockwave finished second four times in a row to Chicago Bull.
His first-up run that campaign was a win in the James Brennan Memorial (2536m), where he over-raced in front.
Michael Grantham will drive Shockwave this Friday night.
Chicago Bull has drawn barrier six in the Free-For-All event, following an encouraging third to Mighty Conqueror and Patronus Star last Friday.
Perfect Major, who also made-up significant ground over the closing stages last week to finish eighth, has drawn barrier three, while WA Pacing Cup champion Vultan Tin will start from barrier eight again.
Elsewhere, trainer Ray Jones’ wish for a frontline draw for Lavra Joe in the three-year-old colts and geldings Westbred Classic (2130m) came to fruition, albeit a wide draw in barrier eight.
Speaking to The Trots WA yesterday, Jones said he was happy with Lavra Joe’s second to To Fast To Serious last Friday and was confident his charge could get an elusive Group 1 win, provided he got a draw on the front line.
Trainer Robbie Williams now holds a strong hand in the $100,000 event, with Seeryanfly and Overjoyed drawing barrier one and two respectively.
It’s just the second time Seeryanfly has drawn barrier one, ahead of what will be his 25th career start on Friday night.
The only other time he came up with the inside draw was on debut at Northam in February last year.
Give Us A Wave will be looking to add the three-year-old Westbred Classic to the two-year-old edition he won last year but will have a tricky draw in four to overcome.
Aussie Scooter is Greg and Skye Bond’s other runner in the race and will start from barrier five.
Otis, second to Lavra Joe in the Pearl Classic (2130m) last month, will start from barrier three.
The fillies have their Westbred Classic 35 minutes after the colts and geldings on Friday night, where Star For Me has drawn barrier one.
WA Oaks winner Benesari Lane will have her work cut out from barrier seven, while last year’s two-year-old Westbred winner Black Jack Baby will have to overcome barrier 11.
Friday night’s 10 event card gets underway at 5.42.
Tim Walker
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