Suvaljko Turns To Reed Pair For Pearl Success
Leading driver Shannon Suvaljko is pinning his hopes on the Mike Reed-trained Dardy Boy and Hoppys Way to deliver him success in tonight’s Pearl Classic heats (2130m) at Gloucester Park.
Dardy Boy and Hoppys Way are expected to feature prominently in heat one and two respectively, as they attempt to qualify for next Friday’s $50,000 final.
Dardy Boy broke in the early stages of last Friday night’s Rock N Roll World Yearlings Preparing To Leave Their Mark Pace (2130m) and beat just one runner home in the event won by Infinite Sign.
The Bettors Delight colt has drawn barrier one for tonight’s opening heat and Suvaljko said it was the ideal chance to test him in front.
“The last time he led only Nevermindthechaos got over the top of him,” he told TABradio.
“He should be hard to beat.
“He’s had another run back so he should be hard to beat in that race.”
Dardy Boy is on the second line of betting at $2.80 with TABtouch, with Paul Edward a $2 favourite.
Hoppys Way, who finished second to Infinite Sign on Friday night, has drawn barrier five in the second heat and will be out to break a run of second placings.
Only Infinite Sign and Wonderful To Fly have beaten Hoppys Way in the past three starts and Suvaljko said he expected the colt to return to breakthrough tonight.
“It was a good run last Friday and he’s been racing in better fields than this,” he said.
“He’s got blinding gate speed, so we will probably use that off the arm again.
“If he gets to the front, he will be hard to beat.”
Hoppys Way, a $1.60 TABtouch favourite, has drawn barrier five for tonight’s heat.
Speedwagon, who is a $3.20 second favourite, looms as the big danger to Hoppys Way from barrier one.
Suvaljko also teams up with Follow The Music in the final heat of the night and said he would be pleased if the Matt Scott-trained pacer could make the final from a tough draw.
Tim Walker
Image – Hamilton Content Creators
WATCH – Hoppys Way and Dardy Boy on Friday night