Leading Victoria Cup aspirant Wolf Stride will have his first start for new trainer Andy Gath at Saturday night’s metropolitan meeting in Geelong.
The three-time Group 1 winner joined the Long Forest stable last month after prominent owner Emilio Rosati split with the horse’s previous trainers Anthony Butt and Sonya Smith.
After two trials for Gath – including one last night in Geelong – he will line up in the TAB Minuteman Free For All.
The winner of more than $500,000 has drawn barrier eight and will be the only runner off the back row in Saturday night’s clash, which pits him against Julie Douglas-trained pair Torrid Saint and Bernie Winkle, Basil Dooley’s tough last-start winner Bettor Be The Bomb and Stephen O’Donoghue and Rebecca Bartley’s gun Western Sonador.
The Geelong meeting is the latest transferred away from Tabcorp Park Melton, with the 10-race card to feature two Group 3 contests. They are the Hygain Melton Trotters Free For All for the top squaregaiters and the Alabar Vicbred Platinum Pace, which sees the return of talented mare Rockasaki for new trainer David Murphy.
Meanwhile, Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) has shifted this Friday’s race meeting at Mildura to a night timeslot.
The decision was made following a request from Western Australia, which has changed its Gloucester Park meeting to a day event due to a clash with AFL finals.
Kilmore’s meeting will also remain scheduled for Friday night.
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THE WEEK AHEAD
TUESDAY
Echuca (night)
Caller: Lachlan McIntosh
WEDNESDAY
Bendigo (night)
Caller: Lachlan McIntosh
THURSDAY
Charlton (day)
Caller: Luke Humphreys
Ballarat (night)
Caller: Dan Mielicki
FRIDAY
Mildura (night)
Caller: Luke Humphreys
Kilmore (night)
Caller: Lachlan McIntosh
SATURDAY
Geelong (night)
Caller: Dan Mielicki
SUNDAY
Shepparton (twilight)
Caller: Dan Hibberd
MONDAY
Warragul (day)
Caller: Luke Humphreys
