Leading harness racing trainers and drivers are deciphering the many machinations that could make up Saturday night's Flying Brick Cider Co. Geelong Pacing Cup.
Plenty of pace has drawn the front row amid proven Grand Circuit and Group 1 types, presenting a luring tactical battle.
“It looks like there could be a bit of speed off the gate with Metro Mike and It Is Billy inside,” said Bolinda trainer Brent Lilley, who has Messini drawn in gate four.
Analysts expect Metro Mike will allow It Is Billy to slide to the front, potentially leaving race-hardened Messini to sit parked.
Spirits remain high in Lilley’s camp despite their Art Major six-year-old being on the back of a “disappointing” New Zealand campaign and a disqualification at Bankstown last start, when Messini and driver Anthony Butt encroached inside the markers and were disqualified.
“He was very unlucky there,” Lilley said. “With a clear run he looked like he would have won.”
Perhaps his biggest obstacle to Saturday night success could come from Tee Cee Bee Macray, who will likely start favourite in his first tilt at a Trots Country Cup.
“Tee Cee Bee Macray is looking like a top horse on the way up, so things will need to right for (Messini) to win, but in saying that he is pretty versatile,” Lilley said.
Greg Sugars has been in the sulky for Tee Cee Bee Macray’s last eight drives, amassing a formidable record of four wins and four second placings, the latter including his last start when the Ponder gelding poked his head in front only to be pipped by Major Secret.
“He’s always had that tendency to find the front and ease up,” Sugars said of the five-year-old, who is trained by Alan Tubbs. “He has never had big winning margins, even when he went out against weaker opposition.”
They are weaknesses in Tee Cee Bee Macray that don’t burden the enthusiasm for him, attributed largely to his exhilarating speed. That was evident in his last start.
“I thought with him being first up and going on the sectionals I was very pleased with the run,” Sugars said. “I was told his last half was equal to anything he’d run before at Tabcorp Park and the clock doesn’t lie.”
It’s a fact not lost on Gavin Lang, the veteran reinsman who will pilot Emma Stewart-trained Young Modern, who has drawn gate six, next door to Sugars.
Having opposed Tee Cee Bee Macray throughout the 2015-16 season in four-year-old racing with superstar Ideal For Real, Lang has been well aware of his rival’s ability to mow down opponents on the final straight. He expects Tee Cee Bee Macray to race further forward in the Geelong Cup.
“Tee Cee Bee Macray has drawn nicely on the front and at some stage he is going to have roll forward instead of dropping out,” Lang said. “He keeps running super runs without winning and he is not going to be able to keep giving the other ones a start.”
His six-year-old, Young Modern, has continued to perform well against quality free for all competition, having crossed to Emma Stewart’s stable mid-year.
“His last few have been quite good, but at that level you have to have things go right for you to win. He’s going very well,” Lang said.
“I expect him to front up again Saturday night in what appears a very strong race on paper. He has shown, Young Modern, when he was coming through the grades that strength was his main attribute, but lately at this level he has shown if he gets a good trip he can really get home quickly.”
He’ll potentially be trying to mow down Sugars, who gets the last word.
“We are not going to be too far from the front and with his finishing sprint (Tee Cee Bee Macray) should be right there.”
The cup takes place at 9.32pm.
Michael Howard (HRV Media/Communications Co-Ordinator)