Echuca trainer Rod Clark couldn’t be happier with the box draws for his two runners – My Name’s Stacey and War Time Novelty – in Premier Racing at The Meadows on Saturday night.
Classy speedster My Name’s Stacey has drawn Box 1 in the Free For All Sprint (Race 8 at 8.57pm), while War Time Novelty will exit Box 2 in the following event, the Shepparton To The Meadows Final, at 9.20pm.
My Name’s Stacey has the more impressive resume of the kennelmates, winning 20 of her 48 starts, including three victories at The Meadows, with a smart personal best of 29.90sec, and she’s won five of six from ‘the red’.
However, Clark rates War Time Novelty, which has won eight from 25 and is looking to open his city account, as clearly his best winning chance.
“I’ve been itching to get him back up to 500m and I’m hoping he can take the next step this time.”
“Definitely. I do like him in that race,” Clark said.
“He’s draw perfectly in ‘the two’. He can be a little bit hit and miss out of the boxes, but he won’t leave the fence and he’s very strong.
“If he can half-step, he’ll put himself right in the race.
“He just needs a few things to go his way early and get around the first turn unscathed. About the 400m mark he jumps out of the ground.
“I’ve been itching to get him back up to 500m and I’m hoping he can take the next step this time.”
WATCH: WAR TIME NOVELTY (B2) is the fastest qualifier for Saturday night’s Shepparton To The Meadows Final after a strong-finishing 25.31sec heat victory on Monday night (September 19).
Betting backs up Clark’s opinion, with War Time Novelty the $3.50 second elect and My Name’s Stacey $6.50.
War Time Novelty, a son of Bella Infrared and Afire Love, also had Box 2 on Monday night, when he ran home strongly to win his heat of the Shepparton To The Meadows series in 25.31sec, the quickest of the three heats.
My Name’s Stacey has won in smart time at both The Meadows and Sandown Park (29.49sec), however the daughter of Beast Unleashed and Adorable Lady is stepping up to 500m for the first time since May.
Clark expects her to be vulnerable late against the likes of powerful Group performers Dusty Bourbski (Box 5) and Mepunga Warrior (Box 6).
“I could see her leading for a long way, but I don’t think it’s a winnable race for her,” Clark offered.
“She’s not a true, true ‘500m’ dog, even though she’s broken ‘30’ seconds at The Meadows.
“If the race was over 450m, you could pencil her in, but I’d only give her a place chance.”
