The Kalgoorlie racing season is over but local trainer Helen Harding will be out to stretch the stable’s recent top form at Belmont Park on Saturday.
Harding will saddle six-year-old gelding Donnyonetime in the Yellowglen Melbourne Cup @ Ascot 6/11 Handicap (1000m).
Donnyonetime was one of three race round winners for Harding with Versaint and rank outsider Perignon Don completing the treble.
Donnyonetime landed back-to-back victories after holding out Earl Of Vasse at a Belmont mid week program last month.
“I can see no reason why he shouldn’t travel in the form that he is in,” said Harding.
“He has done everything right at his most recent starts and will be competitive again.”
Harding rates Hearts Of Fire, resuming after a ten month absence and David Harrison’s Buster’s Empire, as the horses to beat.
Hearts Of Fire, by Churchill Downs, was a star in Geraldton last season with three wins and one second from his first four appearances.
“I think he has an exciting future ahead of him but I have to temper my expectations,” said trainer Gordon Spowart.
“He really is a day-to-day and race-to-race proposition.
“He has been knocked around by knee soreness, growing pains and arthritis.
“If he can stay sound I think he has a future in front of him.
“I will get a better handle on how good he is up after the weekend.
“My only worry is he likes to get back and may find the journey a fraction short.”
Meanwhile it will pay to rule a line through Wookah and forget he even went around in Wednesday’s Hannan’s Handicap (1400m).
Wookah, prepared by Peter Fernie, missed the start and was never in the hunt when 12th of 14 to Adam Durrant’s Texan.
The seven-year-old son of Encosta De Lago backs up from an outside gate in barrier nine for the Vale Maurie Boyd Handicap (1400m).
Wookah returns to Belmont Park where he has produced two of his best performances since crossing from Melbourne.
Earlier in May he stormed home from last to win the Sky Racing TV Provincial Championship Final (1400m) before a gallant third to November Red after racing wide throughout on August 8.
Stable mate Sonny Biscay, drawn barrier two for in form apprentice Natasha Faithfull, will contest the playeronline.com.au Handicap (1400m).