“He’s a poor relation, but he’s been a wonderful horse for me,” says Hopeland harness racing owner-trainer Kevin Charles when describing veteran iron pacer Blissfull Boy, who will be having his 184th start when he contests the 1730m Lugarno Gumby Punters Club Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
And Charles is upbeat about the nine-year-old’s chances from the favourable No. 2 barrier over his favourite distance of 1730m.
Blissfull Boy, to be driven by Chris Voak, has been unplaced from unfavourable barriers at his past four starts.
“But he’s a different horse when he is able to lead,” said Charles, who purchased the gelding from Ken White in December 2012. Since then Blissfull Boy has had 115 starts for Charles for ten wins, 29 placings and $87,964 in prizemoney to take his career statistics to 183 starts for 20 wins, 53 placings and stakes of $140,680 — a remarkable record for a pacer who is still assessed as an M0 and C5 performer.
“He’s a poor relation — to his half-brother Lennytheshark, who has earned more than a million dollars,” Charles said. “Ken White did a good job with him and he has also done very well for me.
“I don’t like to disclose how much I paid for him. He was a bargain when I bought him and he’s an even better one now.
“He loves to lead and roll along and if he finds the front on Friday night he will definitely give a lot of cheek and prove hard to beat. So it will be our aim to lead.
“He’s as bright as a button around the stable and has never shown any signs of soreness. He’s got wind galls on his legs, but I don’t tell him and he doesn’t know.”
Mighty Major, trained by Greg and Skye Bond, will resume after a two-month absence and will be fancied from the prized No. 1 barrier. He led from the No. 1 barrier and won from Bettor Scoot over 2190m at Northam on June 28, but finished at the rear at his next three starts.
The favourite is sure to be the lightly-raced five-year-old Tact Major, who will need all the breaks to overcome the disadvantage of starting from the outside (No. 9) over the sprint journey.
Tact Major, to be driven by Gary Hall jun., was gallant in defeat last Friday night when worked hard in the breeze and fought on gamely when second to the pacemaker Kiwi Legend over 2130m.
Aiden de Campo, refreshed after a two-week holiday in America, will return to action at Gloucester Park and he should be prominent with Ultimate Major, who is handily drawn at barrier three on the front line.
Ken Casellas