Joe Pace is hoping for big things when Forty Thieves steps out to contest his first country cup in the Flying Brick Cider Co. Geelong Pacing Cup on Saturday night.
The six-year-old is in a rich vein of form over his past six starts after spending much of last season out with a virus. That form included a last start win in the DNR Logistics Pace at Tabcorp Park Melton on November 10, breaking his metropolitan status and giving the trainer of almost two decades one of his best stakes’ results.
It was that win, along with the horse’s never quit attitude, that made Pace decide it was time to “chuck him in the deep end” for his first Trots Country Cup Championship run.
Pace said he was looking for the gelding to hold his own against a more seasoned field but believed it was a race thatany horse could win.
“What we need to understand is it’s his first step out there in a country cup race, but the distance will suit him, the speed up front will suit him,” he said.
The horse will start off the second line behind the Jess Tubbs’ trained Tee Cee Bee Macray, a position Pace plans to use to his advantage.
“If Tee Bee Cee Macray begins quickly and holds his position and puts me in the forward position, then the horse will put himself in a good spot where if they do make a move I can just get around the field without doing too much work,” he said.
“And if Ample Power leads, Glenferrie Blade will be sitting on the back and there’s a chance I’ll probably even pop three back on the fence and get that kind of suck-a-long where you’ve done no work and you’re just hoping for luck.”
Pace said a top four finish would likely see him target other country cups, a prospect that’s a buzz for the Melton West trainer, who after years of learning from his father, Vic Pace, went out on his own and started Pace Racing Stables two years ago.
He admits the transition was a little daunting at first.
“When I was at the stable with dad I was depending on him (a lot). When you venture out on your own, it took me a while to think for myself and I felt like a little lost sheep running around in a paddock on my own and trying to find my way back home,” he said.
“But you sort of learn how to cope on your own and train on your own and do things on your own. My facilities are A1. If anyone is looking for a trainer, I’m here.”
In the 2570m Yabby Dam Racing McNamara Memorial Trotters Cup Gavin Lang’s Save Our Pennys will attempt to overcome a 30m handicap against a field that includes Super Zeck, Black Valley and Savannah Jay Jay – who could move within striking distance of the top of the Maori’s Idol Trotting Championship leader board with a win.
That series is currently led by Inter Dominion bound King Denny (12 points), Sky Petite (7 points) and Father Christmas (six points), with Savannah Jay Jay next best on five points and capable of making a significant launch at the $10,000 bonus with victory Saturday night. Click here for the standings.
None of Saturday night’s pacing cup contenders have landed a blow in the series this year, but with the $25,000 championship leaders San Carlo and Im The Boss also set for ID18 campaigns the door is ajar. Click here for the pacing standings.
There will be no shortage of off-course entertainment either on Flying Brick Cider Co. Geelong Pacing Cup night, with the club hosting live music, medieval knights, food trucks, free kids activities, pony trots and more. For more details click here.
