Durrant’s Support Cast To Main Act
21 September, 2018
Thoroughbred
Battle Storm will be the headline act for Adam Durrant at Belmont, but the supporting cast also looks to be a strong affair with Pagan Image and Electric Light.
Pagan Image shades Sophie’s Song for TABtouch favouritism and Durrant believes the Blackfriars gelding will relish a step up in distance in the Mrs Mac Handicap (1600m).
Pagan Image shed his maiden status at Belmont in August and last-start at the same track he ran on strongly to finish a half-length second to True Defender over 1400m.
Durrant said Pagan Image, drawn to jump from barrier six for jockey Peter Knuckey, can take another step towards next year’s WA Derby (2400m) in April.
“Everything suggest he is going to get over further,” Durrant told Tabradio.
“He is bred to get ground so if he is to measure up he is more a Derby sort of chance in the autumn.
“I thought his effort was good the other day and he was still coming to that other horse (True Defender) on the line.
“If anything he was taking a fraction of ground over him (True Defender), but the biggest thing is he has come through it well.
“I like him and hopefully he can get the job done over more ground.”
Electric Light is the market leader to extend her winning campaign in the 60th Wedding Anniversary Rob & Valerie Dick Handicap (1200m).
The Vital Equine mare has jumped out of the ground this campaign, securing five wins from eight starts, including the past three in succession.
Durrant believes if Electric Light continues her rate of improvement, she is capable of locking in a feature race when she returns in the autumn.
“Everything in her work suggest she can win again,” Durrant said.
“But it’s a stronger race and it doesn’t get any easier.
“Although she is a tradesman and has a crack every time.
“Hopefully when she comes back from a spell she could lift the bar and make a Bunbury Stakes (1400m) horse.”
Electric Light, dropping back in distance from her last-start victory over 1400m, will be ridden by William Pike.
In a field of nine starters she has drawn barrier three and is the $2.10 favourite.
After a dominant win on debut over 1000m a fortnight back, Battle Storm is a $1.40 to make it two wins from as many starts.
“He is very talented and pretty smart,” Durrant said.
“But it’s a step-up in grade and there are some reasonable horses in the race.”
Julio Santarelli