Form jockey Peter Knuckey has picked up the ride on Ziva Star and is confident the Bearcat filly can breakthrough and land her first win in the Sandy Cove Tavern Maiden (1200m) at Pinjarra this afternoon.
Ziva Star, prepared by Kevin Temple, impressed with placings at her first two appearances and lost no admirers when she finished strongly to be placed seventh and 1 ¾ lengths from Just Wicked at Belmont last Saturday week.
“She has attacked the line well and her runs have been strong,” said Knuckey.
“I think back to maiden company she will be hard to beat and I rate her as the best of my rides on the programme.”
I Owe You has been around the mark and was 3 ¼ lengths fifth of 14 to Love You Like That over 1300m at Belmont Park on May 16.
Three starts back he ran a nose second to Rocky’s Brother before fading late behind Leoluck and both those horses have since progressed to score top city wins.
I Owe You, from the Brett Pope stable, will jump from barrier 14 in the Pinjarra Park Racing June 14 Handicap (1400m).
“He has been consistent type of horse and if he gets luck from a wide alley he will be right in the finish,” said Knuckey.
Classy filly Red Hot Sax commences her winter campaign from an outside gate in the Premier Hotel Bucks Off Liquor Handicap (1200m).
The daughter of Saxon returns after completing a successful summer carnival campaign and her best win in the Listed Burgess Queen Stakes (1400m).
She also ran second in the Champion Fillies Stakes (1600m) and was third behind King Saul at her previous appearance in the WA Guineas (1600m) last November.
One of her main challengers could include veteran gelding Centrum who is approaching peak form after two runs back.
The Danetime eight-year-old rates highly after he ran on from seventh on the turn when a head runner up to Haboob over 1000m at Pinjarra on May 17.
“He will be doing his absolute best and is a real champ,” said trainer Sharon Taylor.
“My concern is the draw but with luck he will be up there for sure.”
Promising stayer Friarday is out to complete back-to-back victories after finishing strongly from last to score a narrow victory over 1600m at Northam on May 25.
The son of Blackfriars, a winner of three races and two placings from 10 appearances, will have strong support in the Silver Sands Tavern Handicap (1600m)