Nullarbor and Fremantle Cup placegetter Gee Heza Sport will have a surprise hit out at Gloucester Park this Friday, ahead of next week’s Winter Cup (2536m).
The Greg and Skye Bond-trained pacer will start in Friday’s Ultimate Sniper Standing At Allwood Stud Farm Pace (2130m), rather than target next week’s $50,000 event first-up.
Gee Heza Sport’s last outing saw him win stylishly at Gloucester Park on May 23, six days after he was also a dominant winner in the Narrogin Cup.
Co-trainer Greg Bond said Gee Heza Sport was working well enough to take him to Gloucester Park a week earlier than planned.
“We were targeting the Winter Cup with him next week,” Bond told Racing WA Harness.
“We were very happy with his work last Friday morning and going into that we thought if he does what we want him to we would go this Friday.
“All being well, I expect you will see what you saw last start, and this will top him off for the Winter Cup.”
Gee Heza Sport has drawn barrier three for his return to racing, with the Colin Brown-trained pair Arma Xfactor and Arma Einstein drawn inside him.
Talks Up A Storm and Longreach Bay, both noted for their gate speed, have drawn barrier five and six respectively.
Bond said he would leave it to driver Deni Roberts as to how she approached the event.
“There’s some good gate speed outside of him with Longreach Bay and Talks Up A Storm,” he said.
“That’s something Deni will have to assess.
“He’s got strings to his bow and doesn’t have to get involved.”
Gee Heza Sport is a commanding $1.45 TABtouch favourite for the $30,000 event, while Arma Xfactor is considered his main danger at $6.
The Bond stable also have Lusaka engaged in the event from barrier eight, where he’s likely to play for luck.
Meanwhile, reigning WA Pacing Cup winner Minstrel is closing in on a return to racing later this year.
Bond indicated the stable star was back in full jog work would likely return to racing in September, ahead of another tilt at the Pacing Cup.
Tim Walker
Image - Pacepix