Ahlia Looking To Go Back-To-Back
Trainer David Young is adamant using Heartofahlia in a sit-sprint capacity will bring out the best in her, as she looks for back-to-back wins to start her campaign at Gloucester Park tonight.
The four-year-old led from start to finish from barrier four first-up at Gloucester Park last month.
With key rivals Skip A Beat, She’s A Tiny Dancer and Lady Camel drawn inside her, Heartofahlia is likely to be saved for one run in tonight’s Barbagallo Rolls-Royce Pace (2130m).
Young said the tricky draw could work in Heartofahlia’s favour tonight.
“I’m probably more confident this week because we can sit her up,” Young told Racing WA Harness.
“I’ve been doing her gallop work and it’s been good.
“It’s a nice and even field this week, but she will be hard to beat with an ounce of luck.”
Despite scoring a win first-up, Young said he was slightly disappointed with Heartofahlia’s performance after a promising trial.
“Her trial behind Heavenly Gipsy was super,” he said.
“Aiden said it was the best she’s felt.
“I was glad she won first-up, but she made heavy weather of it and I don’t think she should have.”
Elsewhere, Young also has strong representation in the Barbagallo Alfa Romeo Fiat Trot (2130m).
That’s Not My Gait and Patched will start from barrier one and nine respectively, in what shapes as an intriguing event.
Despite not having the superior numerical form of the pair, Young said he leaned to That’s Not My Gait tonight.
“I expect her to lead and win,” he said.
“I know her form looks ordinary, but she is flying.
“She was ordinary two starts back, but we found an issue and last start she got into a bit of trouble.
“If she can hold up, she can run some serious time in front.”
While regular driver Aiden De Campo sticks with Patched, Dylan Egerton-Green gets the chance to score his first win in partnership with Young on That’s Not My Gait.
Young said Patched would likely be saved for one run from the outside draw and was confident he could play a part in the finish with the right luck.
Williams Not Prepared To Get Carried Away With Mystro
Trainer Robbie Williams admits he’s got high hopes for El Mystro, but is wary of not getting himself ahead of the two-year-old’s metropolitan debut at Gloucester Park tonight.
El Mystro produced an impressive performance sitting outside of Trixie Dora and beating her in 1:55.8 on debut at Pinjarra earlier this month.
He faces another test in tonight’s Barbagallo Ram Pace (1730m), where he comes up against Sales Classic runner-up Cease To React.
Williams said he was quietly confident of a strong debut performance, following a trial at Wanneroo last month.
“I did think he would go very well,” Williams told TABradio.
“He’s shown a bit since he was broken in.
“I thought the less we could do with him first-up the better.
“I did expect to be sitting parked, which I was happy enough with.
“I just wanted to keep him in the clear and I was confident he could get the job done.”
The son of Lather Up has the draw advantage over his key rivals this evening and looks well placed to maintain the unbeaten start to his career.
Williams said he hoped to be able to capitalise on barrier two, with only debutant Nod From Above drawn inside him.
“If we could run the gate tomorrow night and find the top, I expect him to be hard to beat,” he said.
“If he settles and does everything right, I think he will perform strongly.
“I’d rather let him do the talking on the track, but he’s certainly got a lot of ability.”
A win for El Mystro tonight would continue a big week for Williams, who had Brickies Dream win at Gloucester Park last Friday and Mysta Moon Walker win on Tuesday.
Williams indicated he would like to give El Mystro a short break after tonight’s run and bring him back for the Pearl Classic, Westbred Classic and Golden Slipper later in the year.
Michael Young, who trains both Cease To React and Butter Me Up, said he didn’t expect either of his pair could beat El Mystro tonight.
Tim Walker
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