Prentice’s duo lead way
Trainer-reinsman Justin Prentice has chosen to drive Captain Oats ahead of stablemate Master Jaxon in tonight’s $25,000 Gerard Lighting 3YO Colts And Geldings Westsired Pace (2100m) at Bunbury.
Prentice booked his No.1 trackwork reinsman Brayden Green to partner Master Jaxon, who will attempt to lead throughout from gate one.
Captain Oats is the $1.80 favourite with the TAB, ahead of Master Jaxon ($2).
Prentice has driven Master Jaxon to wins at his past two starts.
“Captain Oats’ big-race performances swayed me to drive him in the Westsired,” Prentice said. “His trackwork is good and he looks ready.”
Captain Oats is a seven-times winner and a placegetter in the Sales Classic (1730m) and Westbred Classic (2130m).
“Master Jaxon goes well for Brayden in trackwork and I’m sure he’ll give him every chance,” Prentice said.
Prentice told stewards yesterday that Master Jaxon would be driven aggressively, while Captain Oats’ tactics would not be decided until after the start.
“Master Jaxon will be trying to find the lead early,” he said.
“I’ll assess speed by rivals drawn inside Captain Oats before deciding where to position him.”
Prentice, 26, could figure in other feature events tonight.
He trains and drives Just Visiting in the Lumex Electrical 3YO Fillies Westsired Pace and Where Dreams Grow in the Nexans Olex The Lombardo Mares Final.
Trainer Michael Brennan has booked Prentice to drive This Time Dylan, who drew gate three in the Led Perth Past Presidents Cup.
Just Visiting, a winner in two of three Bunbury starts, meets tough opposition tonight.
“The filly shows a lot of ability in trackwork,” Prentice said.
“She could figure prominently if she reproduces her training efforts in the race.
“Where Dreams Grow has a back-line draw for the mares final, but she won impressively at Bunbury two weeks ago and is capable of being right in the finish again.”
Where Dreams Grow is a $12 chance in a market dominated by Jungle Jewel ($2.20), My Samantha Jane ($2.35) and Hidden Bad ($6).
Trainer Mike Reed said My Samantha Jane would be driven positively.
Four-year-old Jungle Jewel’s connections have yet to decide on tactics for the polemarker.
“She has the speed to lead,” co-trainer Greg Bond said.
“But she’s also good when running on.”
