Pocket Watch timing out
Glamour grey Lombo Pocket Watch, looking back to form which landed him 19 straight wins, has injured a leg and will miss Friday's $400,000 SEW Eurodrive WA Pacing Cup (2506m) at Gloucester Park.
The Mick Lombardo-owned stallion started at $1.20 and sprinted brilliantly from last in a nine-horse field when he won first-up by 29m for top reinsman Chris Lewis over 2100m at Bunbury last Tuesday.
Lombardo said yesterday the $1.4 million stakes earner was under veterinary treatment after showing signs of tendon soreness.
"It's not a serious injury but he's definitely out of the WA Pacing Cup," Lombardo said. "No risks will be taken with him.
"He's a lovely natured horse and has won 41 races. I think he's a valuable stud prospect."
Lombo Pocket Watch, who travelled from Victoria to join trainer Ross Olivieri's team last month, was bred by Lombardo.
The grey, sent to NSW after winning at Pinjarra as a two-year-old, scored victories in his first 18 races for Sydney trainer Paul Fitzpatrick. He has won feature events in Victoria, NSW, WA, Queensland and Tasmania.
Lombardo has classy mare Ima Spicey Lombo, the winner of 21 races, set to be a strong back-up runner in the WA Pacing Cup.
The Olivieri-trained bay finished a fighting third to Im Themightyquinn in the Fremantle Cup (2906m) last Friday night.
"Ima Spicey Lombo produced a big run from gate 12 on Friday," Lombardo said. "She battled on gamely after racing wide. The mare could be a top WA Pacing Cup prospect if she draws a better barrier."
NSW harness racing officials, impressed by Ima Spicey Lombo's Fremantle Cup placing, have issued an invitation for her to contest the Group 1 Ladyship Mile in Sydney on March 5.
Meantime, Gloucester Park bookmaker Steve Mulhall predicts Brisbane-trained Washakie could record his second straight WA Pacing Cup win if he lands a favourable gate in tomorrow's barrier draw
Washakie, who finished 2.5m from Im Themightyquinn when second in the Fremantle Cup, unleashed a powerful front- running performance in his 2010 WA Pacing Cup victory.
"Im Themightyquinn's acceleration gave him an edge on Friday," Mulhall said. "But Washakie is capable of turning the tables if he draws near the pole on the front line and Im Themightyquinn cops a back-row gate."
