High-flying reinsman Chris Voak guided Mister Versace to a stylish all-the-way victory two starts ago last Friday week, but he says the six-year-old is even better when held up for a late burst.
Mister Versace, trained at Banjup by Annie Belton, is favourably drawn at barrier three in the $22,000 Most Winners On A Night Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night and Voak hinted strongly that he would adopt different tactics this week.
“Even though Mister Versace has good gate speed, I don’t think he can cross Argyle Red (barrier two) and I expect him to perform really well,” he said. “Argyle Red has got Free-For-All form against good horses and is capable of improving on his recent unplaced efforts.
“I expect Mister Versace to go well from a sit. He’s a better sit-and-kick horse than a frontrunner. His ability to follow the pace and finish off is his best asset.”
Last Friday night Mister Versace was trapped wide early after starting from barrier eight and was then restrained back to seventh in a field of eight. He was sixth at the bell and sprinted strongly approaching the home turn. But he was forced very wide and did well to battle on into fourth place behind Speed Man.
“He loomed, out three and four wide, and made ground,” Voak said. “And he has improved since that run.”
Argyle Red, trained at Pinjarra by Rob Macdonald, will be handled by Jocelyn Young and the seven-year-old is certain to appreciate a considerable drop in class after competing against Chicago Bull, Vampiro, The Bucket List and Runrunjimmydunn at his past four starts.
He has been unplaced at his 11 starts since he led from barrier five and won from Talktomeurmattjesty and Handsandwheels over 1730m late last January. He is very close to recording his 15th victory.
Veteran Sokys Big Bullet is also capable of a bold effort at his second appearance after a spell. He trailed the pacemaker Better B Chevron and fought on well when third behind Speed Man and Three Kings over 2130m last Friday night.
Leading trainer Gary Hall Snr said he expected a strong showing from Overboard Again from barrier four after the gelding had no luck when seventh behind Soho Chelsea last Friday night when he was forced to cover a lot of extra ground.
Ken Casellas