Emma Stewart toughest to topple in Stawell Pacing Cup | Racing
The powerful Emma Stewart - Clayton Tonkin stable, as is often the case - look toughest to topple in Sunday afternoon's $45,00 Talquist Trees Stawell Pacing Cup.
The Cardigan-based juggernaut will saddle up both $2.40 pre-post favourite Code Black and $3 second elect Phoenix Prince at Stawell after landing the trifecta in last weekend's $60,000 Geelong feature.
Phoenix Prince (Kate Gath) upset his more fancied stablemate Code Black (Greg Sugars) at Geelong after bursting through an opening in the shadows of the post and if the bookmakers are on the mark, we could see something similar on Sunday.
Kima Frenning and her warhorse Buster Brady swept all before them last season with five victories during the Country Cups Carnival and she may well upset the Stewart-Tonkin applecart. The Swedish ex-pat will partner Shelby Bromac for Avenel trainer David Aiken at Stawell. The six year old gelding boasts a proven record over staying journeys with three wins and two minors in contests of 2400 metres plus including a close up third behind Inter Dominion campaigners Colt Thirty One and San Carlo in the Swan Hill Pacing Cup.
Shelby Bromac finished hot on the heels of the Emma Stewart trio at Geelong and from gate four Frenning may be able to control the contest. Keayang Shekitout is racing in fine form at harness headquarter for Terang trainer Marg Lee and driver Glen Craven but this is her toughest test to date and first try at the distance. Naracoorte stayer Emain Macha has landed a horror draw out in gate seven but as the winner of 28 races, knows how to find the line. Rupert Of Lincon is set to enjoy a soft trip courtesy of the pole draw and could be dangerous late if driver Kerryn Manning can find clear air along the sprint lane.
DRIVING BETS: Members of the Pyrenees Ranges Pleasure Drivers group will be cheering on the selections of former Adelaide Crows forward, now Geelong Cat recruit, Josh Jenkins, who will place $500 worth of bets, courtesy of Harness Racing Victoria on Sunday afternoon's racing at Laidlaw Park. Jenkins oversees a $500 punting plan at each of Victoria's 27 Trots Country Cup meetings, with all returns benefiting a local sporting club or community group.
THEY'RE OFF: @ Stawell (D) Sunday December 1st; Mt. Gambier (N) Friday 6th; Terang (T) Sunday 15th; Charlton (D) & Mt. Gambier (N) Friday 20th and Stawell (D) Friday 27th.
WIMMERA WALLY:Last return: Wally forgot to bet at Horsham Trots. Balance: $253.45. Best bet: R4 No.1 Kick It To Jack $4 eachway. Value bet: R7 No.8 Gracie Cullen $3 eachway. Value bet: R9 No. 5 Cee Cee In America $3 eachway
Tony Logan
@Cre https://www.mailtimes.com.au/story/6516028/emma-stuart-toughest-to-topple-in-stawell-pacing-cup-racing/
