Having had great success with big sister, Tony Peacock has gone back to the well and is hopeful the dam Their Excuse can produce a second star.
The trainer will debut The Paua Diver tonight in the Bendigo Party Hire Pace, part of an eight-race program at Lords Raceway that kicks off on Trots Vision at 6.32pm.
The race marks the five-year-old’s first Victorian and second Australian start, having previously won twice in 14 starts in New Zealand.
“He’s quite a nice horse,” Peacock said. “He’s a half-brother to Bettor Enforce, who’s done a good job.”
Seven-year-old mare Bettor Enforce has won 17 of her 82 starts and $266,189 in winnings, including a Group 2 and consecutive Group 3 wins.
Peacock is optimistic The Paua Diver can similarly thrive in Australia, and showed plenty on debut when he ran second last start, albeit well beaten by Star Major.
“He is a big, immature fella, probably 17 hands,” Peacock said. “They went 1:51 at Wagga, he was underdone a little bit and I reckon he might go better (tonight). He’s come on really well since he raced.
“I think he has a bit of a future and think he will finish up at Menangle, where he would love a fast mile.”
He’ll learn more tomorrow night when The Paua Diver steps out from gate one amid a quality field, with talented mare Concealment second-up hoping to add to her 11 career wins, while Single Tree Road, Franco Jolto, Major Jodi, Brackenreid and Arts Dash all look to have claims.
A positive result would be well received by the stable, which had been locked out of Victorian racing by the covid-19 restrictions, with the Moama property north of the closed border.
“It’s been very tricky being on the New South Wales side when most of my racing is done in Victoria,” he said.
“I am right on the border and only been able to race in Wagga or Leeton. If I crossed the border to go to the vet or something I had to isolate for 14 days, so it’s good to get back to racing in Victoria.”
TALKING TROTS ON SENTRACK:
Join Jason Bonnington and Blake Redden from 11am to 1pm on SENTrack, which airs on 1593AM in Melbourne, 1539AM in Sydney, 657AM in Perth, 801AM in Gosford, 96.9FM in Ingham, 99.1FM in Atherton and 1575AM in Wollongong.
Click here to listen live and for links to download the SEN app.
TUNE IN at BENDIGO
First Race: 6.32pm Last Race: 10.24pm
Host/Racecaller: Dan Mielicki.
Trots Vision: WATCH LIVE
SEN Track: WATCH LIVE
RSN 927: LISTEN LIVE
JASON BONNINGTON ON BENDIGO
RACE 3: SOLAR1 ELECTRICAL TROTTERS HANDICAP
EARLY SPEED:
1, 2, 3, 4
SELECTIONS:
CHARLIE WALKER (7) WHOS COUNTN (5) ROCKFORD PEACH (3) DREAM OVER (4)
RATINGS:
7 / 5 / 3 / 4 / 6 / 2 / 1
SUGGESTED BET:
CHARLIE WALKER (7) to Win
For tips and speedmaps for all races visit Good Form at thetrots.com.au
This week’s winners sired by Woodlands Stud stallions
Krug by Bettor’s Delight out of Champagne Princess at Addington
Stingray Tara by Bettor’s Delight out of Tara Gold at Geelong
Doc Holliday by Bettor’s Delight out of First Western at Auckland
Taipo by American Ideal out of Haylin Express at Auckland
Kango by American Ideal out of Dana Maguire at Auckland
Copy That by American Ideal out of Lively Nights at Auckland
Im Quite American by American Ideal out of Viva El Ray at Devonport
JB Mauney by American Ideal out of Shorty’s Girl at Gloucester Park
Im Anothermasterpiece by Bettor’s Delight out of Elegant Art at Melton
Spankem by Bettor’s Delight out of Crushem at Methven
Kardesler by American Ideal out of Kusadasi at Hobart
Denstown by Bettor’s Delight out of Touch Of Grace at Hobart
Breed your next winner with Woodlands Stud, supporter of Trots Centre
