Scott Eyes Unique Double
11 April, 2019
Harness
Harness and thoroughbred trainer Matt Scott is hoping for a landmark day tomorrow, when he saddles up three runners at Albany and also has five runners engaged at Gloucester Park.
Despite coming close to having a winner in each code on the same day previously, the rare double has proven elusive to Scott.
“I’ve never had a trotting winner and gallops winner on the same day,” he told RWWA Harness.
“I’ve had a galloper place and trotter win or place.
“I’m hoping tomorrow can be the day it happens.”
Scott will saddle up Kebalah and Hard Too Cee in the TABtouch Better Your Bet Maiden (1927m), the opening event of the day at Albany.
However, Scott said the best of his three chances at Albany was Short Black Roman in the BP Roadhouse Williams Handicap (1500m), where Peter Hall has the ride.
“His two fourths at the start of this campaign were good,” he said.
“He hasn’t been able to get in the clear and have a crack at them in his last two starts.
“I’m expecting Roy Rogers’ horse My Girl Chilly to go forward and put the pace on.
“Hally is confident, so from barrier nine of 10 we shouldn’t have a problem getting a clear run.”
Consistent pacer Always Arjay heads up a competitive team Scott has at Gloucester Park tomorrow night.
The eight-year-old drops back in distance in the Vale John Stampalia Free-For-All Pace (1730m), where he has drawn barrier one.
Always Arjay had to sit in the breeze over 2536m at his most recent start when fourth on March 29, which prompted Scott to give him a week off.
Scott said he expected reinsman Shannon Suvaljko to try and hold the front from the inside draw, despite having to hand up the last time he drew barrier one.
“I’d say Shannon would lead because you don’t get barrier one in a Free-For-All very often,” he said.
“He’s thriving and looking spot on for tomorrow night.
“A lot of the Free-For-All sprint races are like staying races, so it shouldn’t be a concern missing the run last week.”
Scott indicated Always Arjay would roll along at a strong tempo in front and expected Vultan Tin and Caviar Star to provide the stiffest opposition.
The seven-year-old is expected to keep his campaign going for a few more starts, before a spell to avoid clashing with Chicago Bull over the winter period.
Neighlor and Jaxon Fella will give Scott a strong hand in the Bridge Bar Pace (2536m), with the trainer rating Neighlor his best hope of the night.
“I’m worried Good Times Ahead might lead from barrier two with Gary Hall Jnr going back on, which could force us to the breeze,” he said.
“Neighlor is going really well though and is running really good late sectionals out wide and making up ground.
“Even if he doesn’t get the lead, I still think he can win.”
Scott said his other two runners on the Gloucester Park program Charlie El and Smackwater Jack were place hopes.
Tomorrow’s Albany meeting gets underway at 1.41pm, before the Gloucester Park meeting commences at 5.23pm.
Tim Walker
Image: Scott Hamilton