Harness racing nine-year-old Tuapeka Kahu is the oldest runner in the $21,000 Del Basso Smallgoods Pace over 2536m at Gloucester Park on Friday night and he has a losing sequence of 36.
But he looms as a realistic winning chance after several encouraging efforts over the past few months.
The New Zealand-bred gelding ran an excellent trial for this week’s race when he galloped at the standing start, settled in ninth position and finished boldly to be third behind smart pacers Im Full of Excuses and Bettor Scoot in the 2518m Kalgoorlie Cup last Friday week.
Two starts before that, he also galloped at the standing start and did well to run on from last to be fifth behind Im Full of Excuses over 2631m at Pinjarra. That followed impressive efforts at his two previous outings —third to The Bucket List and Our Ideal Act over 2692m at Pinjarra and a nose second to Risk over 2560m at Northam.
The Bettor's Delight gelding, trained and driven by Kristian Hawkins, is past his prime, but will pay to follow.
In an even field, Tuapeka Kahu chief rivals appear to be Bettor Offer, Nicnak Paddy Wak, Jaxon Fella, Im Riddick and Sonic Classic.
Nicnak Paddy Wak, to be driven by Morgan Woodley for Bunbury trainer Stephen Reed, has the best form of the 12 runners, with two wins from his past four starts. None of the other 11 runners has won at his past nine starts.
Nicnak Paddy Wak deserves to be favourite after his recent wins (defeating Changeable and The Revolution over 1730m at Gloucester Park and Royal Mach and Smokey The Bandit over 2100m at Bunbury. After those two wins he finished solidly to be second behind Unsinkable Boxer over 2130m at Gloucester Park. He has the ability to overcome the disadvantage of starting out wide at barrier seven.
Bettor Offer, trained by Greg and Skye Bond, has been unplaced at his past nine starts and is at quite a disadvantage from out wide at barrier No. 8. However, he has shown glimpses of form and should fight out the finish.
Ken Casellas