Eight-year-old Pacific Warrior disappointed at his previous preparation when he managed just one third placing from six starts early this harness racing season and a lack of sparkle forced Mt Helena trainer Ray Williams to withdraw him from the Inter Dominion championship series late in the year.
But the gelding has returned to work in fine style and two runaway victories in recent trials at Byford are a firm indication that he will prove hard to beat when he contests the 2536m In the gig Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Last Sunday Pacific Warrior, an M11-class performer, was untroubled to win a 2150m trial by more than six lengths from Hugh Victor. The previous Sunday Pacific Warrior rated 1.56.4 in winning a 2185m trial by 70 metres from La Mia Juliette after sprinting the final quarters in 28.6sec. and 28.2sec.
He has amassed $326,169 in prizemoney from 27 wins and 20 placings from 85 starts and his clash with other eight-year-olds Mighty Flying Thomas and Chief Thundercloud should be a highlight of the ten-event card.
Mighty Flying Thomas, trained at Byford by Peter Anderson, resumed racing after a short let-up when he sustained a powerful three-wide burst from the rear to win from Cyclone Mitch over 2130m last Friday night. The tough gelding, who failed to win a race from 29 starts last season, has turned the corner with a vengeance this season with four wins, six seconds and three thirds from 22 starts this season.
He will need to be at his best this week to overcome his wide barrier (eight), with Chief Thundercloud (seven), Pacific Warrior (four), Ideal Alice (three) and the frontrunner Leda McNally (two) more favourably drawn. and
Chief Thundercloud, trained by Ross Olivieri, is a most consistent performer, with his past 30 starts producing nine wins, 11 seconds and two thirds. He raced wide early and then worked hard in the breeze when a fighting second to the brilliant Elegant Christian over 2130m last Friday night.
Ken Casellas