Adam Durrant will have a foot in two camps this weekend, hoping to record a unique intercode double at Gloucester Park and Belmont.
A thoroughbred trainer of repute, Durrant switches hats and takes a back seat role as part-owner in one of the hottest pacers going around in WA.
Durrant’s interest lies with Penny Black, a filly prepared by Michael Young that has taken all before her since arriving from New Zealand.
The Sweet Lou daughter hasn’t been beaten in WA and is at short odds to extend that winning sequence to seven in the Bota-Driving The Industry Forward Pace (2130m) at Gloucester Park tonight.
“I don’t think the trainer would be running her if he didn’t think she had a chance,” Durrant told Tabradio.
“She’s a tough cookie and might be pretty special.
“From as little as I know about trotters, what I’ve seen last start, if it was a thoroughbred, it would run a hundred metres last.
“She’s tough as nails and fingers crossed, we may have a good one.”
Minsk Moment has been a good horse for Durrant, reaching Listed status when he won the Carbine Club of WA Stakes (1400m) two years ago.
The I Am Invincible five-year-old is back with Durrant after a short Melbourne spring campaign for original trainer, Chris Waller last year.
Minsk Moment is Durrant’s representation in Saturday’s Listed Bolton Sprint (1200m), going second-up after the Listed Beaufine Stakes (1000m) a fortnight before.
He ran fourth to Puli, a credible performance in Durrant's view as he considered Minsk Moment's first attempt at the 1000m journey to be his Achilles heel.
Durrant is pleased with how Minsk Moment presents for the Bolton Sprint, one race that is missing from his large trophy cabinet.
He can’t get the horse any better but is cautious about his prospects on rain-affected ground.
“I was happy with it (Beaufine), the thousand is not his go,” Durrant said on Tabradio.
“He didn’t get beaten far and his numbers were all good.
“His biggest hurdle is the soft track.
“He’s performed okay on soft tracks over east, but they weren’t real slow tracks.
“As far as I could see they were still running good times in those races.
“I don’t think he’s at his best until he gets on top of the ground.
“But, also, I don’t think I have the horse any better. I think he’s flying.
“It’s just going to be a little tricky with those type of conditions for him.”
Minsk Moment faces 12 rivals in the Bolton Sprint. He starts from barrier four with Clint Johnston-Porter booked for the ride.
Minsk Moment is $7.50 with Tabtouch. Red Fifty Three heads the market at $4.40.
Belmont Park is currently rated a heavy 9 for Saturday's card.