Cooper And Himself Set For Marathon Battle
Tonight’s TABtouch-Marathon (3309m) at Gloucester Park looks set to be another stirring battle between progressive pacers Cooper and Himself.
The pair were involved a thrilling finish in a 2500m standing start affair a fortnight ago, which Himself just got the better of.
Cooper has drawn the inside of the frontline for tonight’s $30,000 event, while Himself has drawn alongside his rival.
Himself galloped from the standing start a fortnight ago but driver Ryan Warwick was able to quickly press through to the breeze, while Cooper started brilliantly and was able to lead.
Cooper’s trainer Michael Young said he was confident his charge would put up another gallant display tonight.
“He steps well and should hit the rail,” he told The Trots WA.
“I don’t think the distance will worry Cooper, but I think it will worry Himself even less.
“We probably need Himself to really miss away tonight.
“I expect him to bounce to the front and then we will figure out where Himself lobs from there and play it off that.”
The Greg and Skye Bond-trained Himself furthered his claims on being one of the most exciting pacers in the state with a gallant second placing behind Socrates in last week’s San Simeon (2130m).
TABtouch has Himself as the $1.65 favourite for the feature event, while Cooper is a $2.80 chance.
Meanwhile, Chicago Bull is an easing $1.60 TABtouch favourite for tonight’s Thank You Cruz – Love Noah Pace (2536m), where he meets another stellar field.
Lavra Joe has been supported from $10 to $3.90 and is considered the main danger to the Gary Hall Snr-trained pacer.
Last week’s Free-For-All winner Jumpingjackmac ($7.50) is also considered one of the major players in tonight’s $30,000 event.
Tim Walker
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