The bluffs or big calls have begun in the prelude to Saturday night's Grand Circuit belter with a murky picture becoming somewhat clearer for well-drawn raiders Galactic Star and Im Pats Delight on Gait Speed today.
The TAB Inter Dominion pacing finalists respective trainers Greg Bond and Cran Dalgety joined hosts Jason Bonnington, Blake Redden and Trent Masenhelder on RSN 927 to talk their WA and Kiwi hopes.
Bond said Galactic Star, who drew gate one, had "a little two-mile gallop this morning and he's as sharp as he's ever been", but said the team's plans for Saturday night would likely be up in the air until Saturday when reinsman Ryan Warwick arrives.
"I haven't even discussed it with Ryan, we've got some big races in Perth, I'd rather leave him alone to focus on Friday night and the (Golden) Nugget and when he gets over Saturday we'll have a chat about it," Bond said.
"This horse is probably unbeaten leading. I have a preference to lead and try and hold up and lead all the way if we can, but I'll also be happy to be led by Ryan. He's a professional, he'll do the form, we'll hatch a plan and in the three or four minutes that the race is being run it will unfold."
Directly on his outside are Cant Refuse and Im Pats Delight, the latter Dalgety's hope for a first pacing Inter Dominion victory.
"It's one of those trick scenarios, we all go into the barrier draw wanting a small marble ... if you get it you have basically got to take advantage of it," Dalgety said of his four-year-old's gate three draw. "He has got really high push button speed. He is going to roll forward.
"When he's in front he is very determined and hates for them to go past. He is a gorilla in front. If he can get there he is going to stay there."
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