Promising four-year-old Thenu Came Along has not been seen out in front at any of his past 13 starts, but star driver Deni Roberts is predicting the WA-bred pacer will set the pace and prove hard to beat in the Home And Away On Seven Pace over 2130m at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
The Greg and Skye Bond-trained Thenu Came Along is favourably drawn at barrier two, and Roberts is hoping to be able to get straight to the lead and then keep the opposition at bay.
“He is a really good frontrunner,” she explained. “The question is whether we can hold out the runners on our outside, all of whom have good gate speed.”
It is significant that Thenu Came Along set the pace and won at Bunbury, Narrogin and Gloucester Park as a two-year-old before leading and winning three times at Gloucester Park as a three-year-old last year.
Thenu Came Along has had two starts since resuming after a five-month absence, and he impressed last Friday week when he began from the outside of the back line, settled in ninth place and improved to sixth at the bell before running home strongly to finish second to speedy frontrunner Gully Gum, who rated 1.56.3 over 1730m.
Gully Gum’s win followed his splendid second to Golden Lode a fortnight earlier when he began like a flash from barrier five, set the pace and sprinted over the final three quarters in 28.7sec., 28.6sec. and 27.4sec. to win by a length.
Apart from Thenu Came Along and Gully Gum, Ardens Horizon, Rockandrollartist, Magnus Victor and No Noney will have admirers.
Ardens Horizon, to be driven by Callan Suvaljko for Byford trainer Craig Hynam, cannot be underestimated from his handy barrier at No. 3, following his excellent third behind star pacer Gee Heza Sport in the 3309m Marathon last Friday night when he set a solid pace. He is sure to appreciate a significant drop in class.
No Noney, to be driven by Chris Lewis for Oakford trainer Shane Gaebler, is a model of consistency whose past 15 starts have produced three wins, eight seconds, three thirds and one fourth placing. He continues to impress with spirited finishing bursts.
Ace trainer Aiden De Campo expects his two runners, Rockandrollartist and Magnus Victor to be prominent. He has chosen to drive Magnus Victor (barrier five) and Joey Suvaljko will handle Rockandrollartist (barrier four).
Magnus Victor, a winner of 16 races, has performed strongly first-up in previous campaigns. “His form went off towards the end of his last preparation, but I expect him to be back to his best on Friday night,” said De Campo.
“Rockandrollartist will be having his fifth start in his current campaign, and it usually takes him four or five runs to hit his straps. His work this morning (Tuesday) was very good and if he gets to the front he will take beating.”
By Ken Casellas