Prentice Eyes Champagne Moment
Trainer Justin Prentice looks set to end his DTS – Farm Fence – Made In WA Champagne Classic (2130m) drought at Gloucester Park tomorrow night, with Valedictorian and Rolling Fire to line up.
Prentice finished third in the two most recent editions of the Champagne Classic with Beat The Bank and Tomlous Jambo in 2020 and 2021 respectively.
Valedictorian has already staked his claim as one of the star two-year-old pacers in WA, taking out last month’s Group 1 Sales Classic (1730m).
The gelding has drawn barrier three for the $50,000 feature and enters the event off the back of a scintillating trial at Pinjarra last Wednesday.
Prentice said he was pleased with the son of Art Major after the trial and would leave tactics up to reinsman Gary Hall Jnr.
“Valedictorian’s trial was really good,” Prentice told TABradio.
“We had him in the trial just to give him some education with a sit over that distance.
“He went as I expected him to go.
“I won’t tell Junior too much, I’ll let him make his own mind up what he wants to do.”
Hall Jnr told The Last Word he had options early and indicated he could have a look for the lead.
Rolling Fire won stylishly on debut at Pinjarra earlier this month, leading all the way in 1:59.0.
The gelding has drawn barrier one tomorrow night and Prentice said he wanted to hold the front, despite lacking the experience of his stablemate.
“We’ve missed a little bit of racing with Rolling Fire,” he said.
“He hasn’t missed any work, just missed that race which he probably loses a bit of education more than anything.
“I think the barrier draw brings him in with a really good chance.
“It’s difficult to assess what he’s going to be like on a new track.
“He will be doing everything he can to hold up.”
WATCH – Rolling Fire’s debut
Valedictorian is a $1.45 favourite with TABtouch for the Group 2 event, ahead of Rolling Fire at $3.30.
Sorridere, a winner at both of his starts, is on the third line of betting at $4 and Prentice said he felt the Aiden De Campo-trained pacer was his biggest threat.
“I think it’s the main one to beat,” he said.
“Major Overs has obviously drawn poorly which makes it a bit harder for him.
“Because they’re young horses, they’re always hard to assess.”
Tomorrow night’s Gloucester Park meeting gets underway at 5.52.
Tim Walker
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