Star filly Reinette will get her chance to cap a stellar two-year-old campaign in Friday’s Channel 7-Golden Slipper (2130m) at Gloucester Park.
Reinette has scored five wins from her 10 starts thus far, including a last start win in the $215,000 Westbred Classic.
Her chances of winning Friday’s Group 1 feature took a hit at yesterday’s barrier draw when she came up with barrier eight.
Race favourite Cyclone Jordy drew barrier one, as he looks to maintain his unbeaten start for trainer Gary Hall Snr.
Nafranec, whose father Frank trains Reinette, conceded it would be difficult for the filly to overcome the draw, but said she deserved her shot at the event.
“The draw doesn’t help her,” Nafranec told Racing WA Harness.
“She went 1:56 in the Westbred and we thought off that she’d be competitive against the boys.
“The Slipper was at the back of our minds, provided she hadn’t gone off after the Westbred.
“Dad said she was jumping around when she got home after the Westbred, so the run didn’t hurt her too much.
“You don’t get this opportunity every year.”
Reinette’s Westbred Classic win was the first time the Nafranec family were able to celebrate Group 1 success.
The daughter of Vincent narrowly got the better of Copper Head Lady, who was also one of the better performed two-year-old fillies this season.
Nafranec said being able to celebrate the Westbred success with family made the result more enjoyable.
“It was a great thrill,” he said.
“I had my kids there and my brother had his kids there too.
“Adam, dad and I all train horses together and winning races like that is why you do it.
“We will never forget it.”
Reinette is rated a $51 chance with TABtouch for the $150,000 event, with Cyclone Jordy at $1.10.
Nafranec said he expected Reinette be a better product in her three-year-old campaign, which is likely to start prior to the APG Sales Classic in March.
“I actually think she will improve,” he said.
“She hasn’t had a proper break this season, so when she goes out she will have a good break and come back better.
“She’s exceeded all expectations to have already won over $160,000.
“Most of the time you’d be happy if a horse did that over their career.”
Friday night’s Golden Slipper gets underway at 6.55.
Tim Walker
Image - Pacepix
WATCH - Reinette's Westbred win