Harness
Blockbuster Night at Gloucester Park: Brennan Memorial Headlines Friday’s Action
Gloucester Park is set for a blockbuster night of racing this Friday, headlined by the $100,000 Running Camel Brennan Memorial over 2536 metres. The feature event promises a clash of champions, with three equine millionaires – Mister Smartee, Minstrel and Magnificent Storm – ready to fight out a thrilling finish in what shapes as one of the most anticipated races of the season.
Defending champion Mister Smartee returns with a prime opportunity to go back-to-back after his victory in last year's Brennan Memorial. Drawn perfectly in barrier five, the Gary Hall Snr-trained star will be driven by Stuart Mcdonald, who has taken the reins while Hall Snr and Gary Hall Jnr compete in New Zealand. McDonald is confident his charge is ready to fire.
"It looks like Mister Smartee has the chance to lead, and from there, if he shows his best, he has a strong winning chance," he said. Mister Smartee boasts 19 wins from 29 starts and will be looking to add another feature victory to his impressive record.
Standing in his way is the evergreen Minstrel, resuming in sparkling form for champion trainers Greg and Skye Bond. Despite drawing wide at barrier eight, driver Deni Roberts believes the gelding is primed for a big run.
"Magnificent Storm is not the only horse we need to beat. Minstrel is going good enough that he can overcome the bad draw," Roberts said. Minstrel's recent wins over Gee Heza Sport and Mister Smartee underline his credentials for Friday night's showdown.
Magnificent Storm, meanwhile, enters the Brennan Memorial in peak form after three dominant wins at Gloucester Park. Prepared by Ray Williams and driven by Aiden De Campo, the star pacer will start from barrier ten, but De Campo is unfazed.
"Number ten is not a bad draw. The 2536m trip will give us options – Magnificent Storm is not going to have to go to the well this week," he said.
Adding depth to the field are Justin Prentice's talented pair Never Ending and Rolling Fire, both capable of causing an upset in what promises to be a mouth-watering prelude to the WA Pacing Cup.
The excitement doesn't stop there. The $27,000 Westral Mares Classic Prelude will see classy mare Sweet Vivienne looking to bounce back from a luckless run last week. Trainer-driver Chris Voak is confident from the prized barrier one.
"I think she will get her chance to lead and bounce back – she'll be primed for the big race next week," Voak said. Expect strong challenges from Little Darling, who looms as a danger despite a wide draw, and the returning Madam Publisher, a WA Oaks winner making her comeback after injury. Heavenly Gipsy, drawn three, will adopt a softer approach ahead of next week's $150,000 final.
Other highlights on the card include Sugar Street, who finally draws well in the Free Entry After The Cricket Pace and looks ready to break a 39-start drought, and Justcallmemiki, fresh from a brilliant Golden Nugget run, headlining the Ashes Test Match Then To The Trots Pace. Driver Deni Roberts is full of confidence.
"His run last week was super – I'll press on from barrier seven," she said.
With star performers, tactical battles and big prizemoney on the line, Friday night at Gloucester Park is unmissable.
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