Prentice Scores On Return To Driving
7 November, 2018
Harness
Reinsman Kim Prentice has enjoyed a successful first day back at the races after suspension, driving Lady De La Renta to victory in the Westral Pace (2130m).
Prentice, who was suspended after one of his pacers presented with an elevated cobalt level in November last year, showed no signs of rust on return to driving, recording the win on just his second drive back.
Lady De La Renta was able to find the front from barrier two, before she held off a late surge from the Dean Miller-trained Davinci Diamond.
Prentice most recent runner at Gloucester Park was back on January 19, when Soho Tribeca took out the WA Pacing Cup.
Meanwhile, the Golden Nugget picture has become even more intriguing, following today’s meeting.
The Gary Hall Snr-trained Ideal Liner could be on his way to the feature event on December 14, following an impressive win in the Better Your Bet With TABtouch Pace (2130m).
Ideal Liner settled well in the back half of the field for reinsman Michael Ferguson in the early stages, before he made his move three-wide in the home straight the penultimate time.
The son of American Ideal was three-wide for much of the last lap and got on even terms with the short-price favourite Stefsbest, who was having his first start in WA, on the home turn.
Despite the lack of race experience, Ideal Liner dug deep to win by a short half-head.
Hall Snr then had another four-year-old Think About Me score a tough win in the Yes Loans Pace (2130m), keeping his unbeaten record in WA intact.
The most impressive win of the afternoon was that of Bob Wheel in the Retravision Westbred Pace (2130m).
After spending much of the race in the breeze, Bob Wheel overpowered favourite El Sunami on the home turn, then cleared right away from his rivals to win by 16m.
Tim Walker