Trots Centre: Flyin’ Ryan to unleash Prince of pace

The Crimson Prince will have to topple warm favourite Letsrockletsroll, but in-form driver Ryan Duffy has marked him as the best of his chances at Shepparton this evening.

Duffy has a book of five drives on a busy evening at the Kialla Racing Complex and has faith the Amanda Turnbull-trained gelding can get the job done in the Alabar Pace (2190m).

Duffy said the small field of six and the horse’s powerful turn of foot were the factors that gave him confidence in the NR 65 to 79 event.

“Being in a small field and being able to lob close enough to them, if he can utilise his sprint I think he’ll be pretty hard to beat,” Duffy said.

He said while he hadn’t spoken with the Turnbull stable, he expected the team would like the horse driven to utilise his best asset.

“Generally they like to let them balance up and find their position and if they feel that it’s a race where they are prepared to put them into the race, then they’ll tell you,” he said.

“But usually they’re the sort of people that would more or less tell you to probably drive them to their strengths and his speed is his strength, so I wouldn’t imagine he’d be sitting in the chair or doing anything silly like that.”

The Crimson Prince is a former New Zealander who arrived at the Turnbull yard as a maiden and has since gone on to win eight races from 18 starts in Australia, including most recently at Bendigo on September 19 when successful in a slick mile rate of 1:53.5.

While he’s marked The Crimson Prince his best, Duffy said there was nothing between him and Hesty, who he will drive for trainer Patrick Ryan in the Your Sold Real Estate Pace (2190m).

DUFFY ON HIS DRIVES

Central Tyre Services Pace (R2)
JUST A PHILTRA (trained by Mick Blackmore)
“He’s probably a horse that needs racing experience, but he’ll improve.”

Barastoc Vicbred Trotters Handicap (R4)
MAJIC FAIR (trained by Steven Duffy)
“Consistent mare and she’ll run a good race.”

Your Sold Real Estate Pace (R6)
HESTY (trained by Patrick Ryan)
“Driven him once earlier on but his form speaks for itself and should go pretty close I think.”

Shepparton BMW Trot (R7)
MAJESTIC TIME (trained by Bryan Johnstone)
“Can do things wrong, but if it puts it all together has ability.”

Alabar Pace (R8)
THE CRIMSON PRINCE (trained by Amanda Turnbull)
“Been consistent and should be pretty hard to beat I think.”

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