Piranha Leads Brown Charge
Trainer-reinsman Colin Brown has identified Patrickthepiranha as the better of his two chances in tomorrow night’s Group 2 Pearl Classic (2130m) at Gloucester Park, despite a wider barrier draw.
Brown also has Its Rock And Roll engaged in the $50,000 event, but felt Patrickthepiranha was better placed to score the feature win.
“There’s not a lot between them in ability,” Brown told TABradio.
“I think Patrick is going that little bit better.
“Patrick seems to be at the top of his game at the moment.
“He’s a happy and very fit horse.
“He’s by far the best we’ve had him.”
Dylan Egerton-Green has the drive on Patrickthepiranha once again, while Brown will steer Its Rock And Roll.
Its Rock And Roll finished third in the Pearl Heat last Tuesday, while Patrickthepiranha ran on well from the rear of the field to finish seventh.
Prior to that, Patrickthepiranha finished sixth to Major Trojan in the WA Derby, while Its Rock And Roll was forced to retire from the race on the first lap.
The barrier draw for the Pearl was unkind to the pair earlier this week with Its Rock And Roll drawing barrier eight and Patrickthepiranha in nine.
Brown said the wide gates were a significant blow to the pair’s chances.
“Obviously we were disappointed with the draws,” he said.
“We were really hoping that both horses got an alley.
“We put a fair bit of time into them.”
Brown said while it was no guarantee Theo Aviator would lead, he expected the Aldo Cortopassi-trained pacer to have enough pace from barrier four and added he and Egerton-Green would need to be at the “top of our games” from the wide barriers.
Theo Aviator has remained a solid $2.80 favourite with TABtouch for the Pearl Classic, while Gee Jay Kay ($3.30), Its Rock And Roll ($4.40), Back In Twenty ($5) and Patrickthepiranha ($5.50) are among the fancied runners.
Tim Walker
Image: Scott Hamilton