Friday Knight To Make Saturday Stand
Trainer Chris Gangemi is confident Friday Knight will make a winning debut in the Amelia Park Plate (1000m) at Belmont Park tomorrow.
The gelding has won all three of his trials ahead of his debut tomorrow, including an impressive effort over 1000m on August 31.
Gangemi said he had enormous faith in the son of Artie Schiller and was bullish on his prospects of a winning debut.
“I probably shouldn’t be as confident as I am but I do have a big opinion of him,” he told TABradio.
“I think he’ll win tomorrow.
“It won’t be easy.
“It’s an unsuitable trip against some good horses that are going to be on speed and he’s probably going to be three or four off them.
“But it’s a long Belmont straight to run them down.”
Friday Knight, to be ridden by Jordan Turner, sits at the top of the TABtouch market for the $70,000 event at $3.40 ahead of Brooklyn Pier and Madam Torio at $3.50.
Brooklyn Pier won on debut at Ascot in January, before unplaced finishes in the Perth Stakes and Karrakatta Plate.
Madam Torio has won her past two starts, including a comfortable win at the track and distance on August 22.
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In-form jockey Chris Parnham retains the ride aboard the Martin Allan-trained Madam Torio tomorrow and told TABradio he expected the filly to be able to find the front from barrier six.
“She’s very consistent,” he said.
“She probably will find the front, you’d imagine.
“She’s going quite well so I wouldn’t be surprised if she was able to get the money again.”
Chris’ brother Steven rides Brooklyn Pier for father Neville in the three-year-old event, where he will jump from barrier one.
The Magnus gelding won both of his trials in the lead up to his first run since the Karrakatta Plate, the most recent was also on August 31.
Parnham said Brooklyn Pier didn’t have to lead Madam Torio and hoped gelding him would see a spike in performance.
“It looks a pretty hot race,” he told TABradio.
“He’s come back in pretty good order.
“The trials have been pretty good and when the blinkers went on he switched on and trialled very well.
“He’s been gelded this time in and hopefully his minds on the job of wanting to be a racehorse.”
Gangemi will hope to end the day on a high when speedy gelding Condor Heroes, pictured above, lines up in the Budget Car & Truck Rental Handicap (1000m).
Condor Heroes is expected to be joined in a spirited battle for the lead by the Adam Durrant-trained This’ll Testya.
Gangemi said he was confident his charge would do enough to hold the lead.
“He’s in great order,” he said.
“He will improve with the run.
“His work on Tuesday was good and he’s up and about and feeling well.
“I’d be surprised if he didn’t lead and he should by a couple of lengths too.”
The Amelia Park Handicap gets underway at 2.38pm, with the meeting to commence at 12.03pm.
Tim Walker