Kelvin Barker’s optimistic his pacing-bred trotter’s on pace for a change of fortune.
Twenty-three of the Bettors Delight four-year-old’s 27 starts have been as a squaregaiter, but his trainer’s gone back to square one with the two-time winner and is hopeful of a strong showing in tonight’s Jet Roofing Pace, which streams on Trots Vision at 6.05pm.
Cadenza began his career with Geoff Webster, having 12 starts including nine as a trotter and three as a pacer, before he was transferred to Barker after trailing off in his Breeders Crown heat.
“He was a pacer-trotter-pacer-trotter before I got him,” Barker said. “I would have left him as a trotter, but with the changes to the whip rule he didn’t enjoy it because he is so lazy.
“I put the hopples on him and he was a different horse. He’s got a nice action for a trotter, but he has taken the change in his stride.”
The switch was first made for his last start in the Bendigo Ski Boat Centre Pace on September 15, when Cadenza was seventh beaten 17 metres, but Barker said it could have been a considerably different result with luck.
“(Reinsman) Chris (Alford) said if he got a clear run he would have won,” Barker said. “He is very happy pacing. I don’t know how far he will go, it is up to him really.
“He is starting back as a 50 rater and is basically starting from scratch again.”
More will be learned tonight, when he steps out for Alford on the outside of the front row.
“I think he will be able to make his own luck,” Barker said.
The trainer will also take If The Mood Suits to Kilmore tonight, with the eight-year-old to contest the TAB Long May We Play Pace at 7.30pm.
“He’s only had a few starts for us,” Barker said. “He’s just a battler, but if he happens to find the front in one of these races he will be a good shot. He is twice the horse in front.”
With unbeaten Boxofchocolates for Kent Harpley to start from gate one and Emma Stewart’s Abouttime on the back row, Barker admitted tonight’s “probably not” his night.
“But he can sit parked and probably run into a place.”
HRV – Michael Howard