Olivieri fancies Bonny Under Fire
Oakford harness racing trainer Ross Olivieri declared Bonny Under Fire a “big chance” in the Steelo’s Bistro Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night after she drew the prized No. 1 barrier in the 2130m event for mares.
“We’ve been waiting for a barrier and she should lead comfortably in this race,” Olivieri said. “She goes well in front and she ran a very good race last week.”
Bonny Under Fire started out wide at barrier seven over 1730m last Friday night and she impressed when she was sixth on the pegs at the bell before finishing strongly to be second to the pacemaker Robyns C C, who rated 1.57.3.
That was Bonny Under Fire’s fourth successive placing at Gloucester Park and she is overdue for a win. The mare, who will again be driven by Stuart McDonald, showed her ability as a frontrunner when she set the pace and won over 1780m at Northam early last December.
Bonny Under Fire is unlikely to have everything in her favour in a race in which she should receive stiff opposition from Nightwatch Lady, Robyns C C, Giuliana Rancic and C C Chevron.
Nightwatch Lady, trained by Peter Anderson, was eighth and last at the bell and was badly hampered for room in the last lap before getting clear in the closing stages and flashing home to finish fourth behind Robyns C C last Friday night.
Nathan Turvey said that Robyns C C, a stylish all-the-way winner from the No. 1 barrier last Friday night, said that the mare faced a sterner test this week from out wide at barrier eight.
“This is trickier than last week, but she would have benefited from the run,” he said. “She will be fitter and can do work. I’ll probably be looking for a forward spot.”
by Ken Casellas
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