| A strong
recent fourth in Adelaide should have Front Beach primed for tomorrow's $21,000 Carlton
Draught Port Lincoln Cup (1950m) as he attempt to defend the race he won last year. Trained by part time diver Darryl Carrison, Front Beach is owned by
his Lock based breeder Gerald Schlink.
Schlink received one of the thrills of his life when the
gelding won last year's Lincoln Cup with Paul Gatt in the saddle.
Gatt will again be in the saddle of the eight-year-old son
of Shuttlecock Corner in tomorrow's event.
A 3.4 length fourth behind the more than capable Adelaide
performer Evans at Victoria Park on February 23 should have the gelding spot on.
Font Beach's chances were also helped when he drew
perfectly in barrier four at yesterday's barrier draw.
Meanwhile, the Dennis O'Leary trained Fighting Harada, a
shock Adelaide winner three starts back, zoomed into Cup contention when he won the Open
Handicap at the track yesterday.
The six-year-old is sure to enjoy the one and a half
kilogram claim from the very much in form lady apprentice rider Cheree Buchiw.
Another lady rider who is in sparkling form on the regional
Eyre Peninsula circuit is Jayleen Burgess. She will be back aboard the last start Lock Cup
winner Just a Fire in tomorrow's big race.
Recent Ceduna Cup winner Kooran Kid will be gunning for
three straight wins after his strong win over the trip on February 24. Wayne Kerford will
again be aboard the Herb Oats trained gelding.
High profile owner Tony Santic, one of the town's most
wealthy tuna fishermen, is hoping the Joe Hall trained Smyzter's Smyzter can win him the
Cup. The son of New Zealand based sire Senor Pete was scratched from Cheltenham's meeting
in Adelaide on Monday with this race in mind.
Meanwhile, Ceduna trained mare Whistling Lass will have her
work cut out for her if she can make it three wins in a row in tomorrow's other feature
event, the $7,500 Yalumba Flying Handicap over 1000 metres.
While the distance of tomorrow's race is sure to suit the
reemergence of her Lincoln rival Sunbury from the inside barrier will see that galloper
start a warm favourite.
There will only be a one kilogram difference between the
two after the three kilogram claim for Matthew Neilson aboard the Bacchus owned and
trained galloper. Sunbury is a last start winner at Broken Hill.
Ceduna trained Trevor Trenowden is more hopeful of winning
with his other in form runner on the program Wilds of Virginia.
A daughter of Wild Harmony, Wilds of Virginia, who is part
owned by well known winemaker and trainer Wally Tonkin, is a winner of her past three
starts at Port Lincoln.
Trenowden is very wary of the Ronald Stoetzer trained
Lochie's Boy in their race the $6,000 Capitalcorp Class 3 Handicap over 1350 metres.
"I thought Ron's horse was very impressive winning
down there (at Port Lincoln) at his last start," Trenowden said.
"He's going to be the one to beat," he added.
"But my filly has trained on well and is certainly in good form."
Another highlight of the Port Lincoln Cup Day will be the
appearance of high profile international thoroughbred breeder and owner Robert Sangster.
The man at the helm of the world famous Swettenham Stud will be on track with his
Australian Director and son Adam. |
