Matt Scott seeks quinella result

Serpentine trainer Matt Scott is full of hope that ideal barriers will help him to celebrate a quinella in the Cowden The Insurance Brokers Pace over 2130m at Gloucester Park on Friday night.

He will be represented by Qtown Rip Roaring (a nine-year-old with a losing sequence of 25) and Clarenden Hustler (a six-year-old who has won only once from his past 25 starts).

Qtown Rip Roaring will be handled by Chris Voak, one of 28 drivers who have been in the sulky behind the New Zealand-bred gelding during his 145-start career of 14 wins and 33 placings. Voak has driven the gelding five times for four unplaced efforts and a head second at $1.90 when he led and was beaten by Lord Lexus at Northam on November 17, 2015.

Shannon Suvaljko will drive Clarenden Hustler from the No. 2 barrier, outside Qtown Rip Roaring, who is sure to enjoy the No. 1 barrier.

“Both horses are racing well,” said Scott. “We will try to lead with Clarenden Hustler. Qtown Rip Roaring has got to be driven with a sit. He’s an opportunist who has been running good sectionals every week. Both should be each-way, all day.

“Clarenden Hustler hasn’t got a clear run when unplaced at his past two starts. Hopefully, he can lead and dictate this week. However, if Qtown Rip Roaring gets luck, he’ll sprint past Clarenden Hustler. But he’s got to get out. We’ve tried leading with him, but he’s not mentally tough and he needs a sit.”

Suvaljko said he expected both Scott pacers to be prominent and hard to beat. “I drove Clarenden Hustler last Friday and he went to the line charging, hard on the bit,” he said. “He was bolting and if I had been able to get out, he would’ve run second.”

Clarenden Hustler raced three back on the pegs and was hopelessly blocked for a clear passage in the final stages last week when sixth behind Jimmy Mack. In the same race, Qtown Rip Roaring was tenth on the pegs at the bell before running home strongly, out four wide, when seventh behind Jimmy Mack.

Pinjarra trainer Michael Brennan will be looking for an improved effort from Braeview Bondi, who will be driven by Michael Grantham from barrier three. Five-year-old Braeview Bondi, a winner of 14 races, was a rank outsider at $151 when he reappeared after a spell last Friday night when he started from the outside of the front line, raced at the rear and finished last behind Patronus Star in a field of 12.

 

Ken Casellas