Trainer Joe Pace is looking forward to campaigning his stable star Supreme Dominator during the coming months after negotiations for the sale of the horse to the U.S. broke down recently.
Pace was philosophical when reflecting on the phone call he received from American interests making an offer for the last-start winner of the Our Maestro Free For All at Melton.
He said a subsequent discussion with the owners resulted in Supreme Dominator being aimed at the upcoming major country cups.
“In the end, both Sam (Castro) and Charlie (Sant) turned the second offer down because they would probably just use the money to go and buy another horse and there is no guarantee they would get one as good as Supreme Dominator,” he said.
Pace realises Supreme Dominator’s task of chalking up back-to-back wins at Tabcorp Park is a tough one after citing the nominations for Saturday night’s Minuteman Free For All.
“It’s going to be a hot race with horses like Lochinvar Art and Honolua Bay in the nominations,” he said.
“My horse is no superstar, but with the right run he is capable of matching it with any of them.”
Meanwhile, Pace is satisfied his talented three-year-old Justalittlesip is on track for a tilt at a Victoria Derby campaign after the former New Zealand pacer added to his picket fence form line at Cranbourne on Sunday.
Justalittlesip made it five wins from as many starts when he produced a big finish to take out the Mark Gurry and Associates Pace.
“He didn’t handle the last turn all that well, but he dug deep in the straight,” he said.
Pace believes Justalittlesip will be suited by the longer distance of the Derby.
“Most of his races back in New Zealand were over 2400 metres, so the longer distance should work in his favour.”
