Trevor Andrews has no qualms thinking A Lot Of Good Men can exact revenge on Russian To The Bar in Saturday’s Listed Lex Piper Stakes (1600m) at Ascot.
Russian To The Bar had the wood on A Lot Of Good Men in the Challenge Stakes (1500m) 10-days ago, but Andrews is confident of a turnaround.
A Lot Of Good Men ran a close third, but a 2kg weight turnaround in his favour and the mile trip can help him turn the tables on Russian To The Bar.
More of a pressing concern for Andrews is a perceived lack of pace in the Lex Piper Stakes and how it could bring about the undoing for A Lot Of Good Men.
A Lot Of Good Men has drawn barrier seven in the nine-horse Lex Piper field. Regular rider Paul Harvey takes charge again. An option to roll forward is likely.
“There doesn’t seem to be a lot of pace in the race and I suggest it might be the case that maybe he will probably roll forward,” Andrews told The Races WA.
“Ideally he’s better ridden quiet with good pace on, but the further you step out the less pace there is in these races.
“Paul (Harvey) was a bit frustrated how they went steady last-start, there wasn’t much pace in the race.
“He hit a bit of a flat spot about the four hundred, but he ran through the line pretty strongly.”
Although he came up empty handed last campaign, Andrews says you can’t knock A Lot Of Good Men’s form against quality opposition.
The A Lot colt ran third in the Fairetha Stakes (1400m) and a charging second in the WA Guineas (1600m) behind Zipaway.
He ended his campaign running a ripping race in the Group 1 Northerly Stakes (1800m) when a length fifth from Dom To Shoot.
Andrews, who successfully combined with Harvey and All The King’s Men in last year’s Lex Piper Stakes, said A Lot Of Good Men was in a good zone.
“He only raced 10-days ago, but has done well since,” Andrews said.
“It’s a short time between runs, but looks to have done well.
“He had an easy gallop on the grass at Ascot on Tuesday.
“He’s in good order and has run well at a mile and 1800m so is getting to his right path distance wise.
“He ran a good race last start; the other horse had a sharper turn of foot.
“Also, he was second up to 1500m with nearly three weeks between runs.
“Russian To The Bar’s had a few runs this prep and is quite solid in condition.
“But we meet him better on weights and I’m certainly happy with him anyway.
“I’m looking forward to the contest on Saturday.”
Russian To The Bar is currently favourite, displacing A Lot Of Good Men at the head of Tabtouch betting.
Russian To The Bar has firmed from $3.30 to $2.75.
A Lot Of Good , who opened at $3.20, is now $3.30.
Russian To Bar, trained by Luke Fernie, has drawn gate two for Chris Parnham.
Julio Santarelli