Sonador to turn around his fortunes

Co-trainer Rebecca Bartley would like nothing more than to have Western Sonador (Western Terror) locked in for a second Inter Dominion Championship harness racing campaign.

Impressive form in New South Wales and Victoria launched him into last year’s series north of the Murray, with Western Sonador second in the Newcastle Mile early in 2021 and then, after a break, produced wins in free-for-all company in Bendigo and Geelong.

Country cups followed on his way to the Inter Dominion and so well did he go in that preparation Bartley and co-trainer Stephen O’Donoghue were disappointed Western Sonoador did not get a Victoria Cup start.

Unfortunately, it has been a different story with the six-year-old in 2022.

Finding his best has so far eluded him and earning a berth in the Inter Dominion in November and December is a long way off, with Western Sonador well down the rankings in 71st place.

While there is life though there is hope and Bartley is optimistic Western Sonador might start to turn around his fortunes in the $35,000 Community Bank Maryborough Gold Cup over 2690m on Sunday (Oct. 16).

He has drawn the pole and it was knowing he would get a favourable front row draw that persuaded Bartley and O’Donoghue to return for a second consecutive tilt at the Group 3 feature.

Although it is 13 months since Western Sonador won, the Shepparton-based Bartley says he is racing better than his form suggests.

He was only 10.6m away when fifth to Love Ina Chevy two starts ago at Melton and although he finished next to last behind Pull The Other Leg at Melton on Saturday he ran the second fastest last mile (1:56.56) in the event.

“That (last start) wasn’t too bad even though he finished well back,” Bartley said.

She said she planned to just ease off the gate on Sunday and hopefully find a trail not too far back.

“Hopefully he runs a good race and gets some confidence back.”

Bartley said they were uncertain why Western Sonador had raced below his best in his latest campaign, but she believed it might be attitudinal.

“He’s highly strung and doesn’t relax. He’s on the go all the time.”

Beyond Delight, one of leading trainer Emma Stewart’s six acceptors, is favourite for the Cup, while his stablemate Phoenix Prince has an opportunity to take the lead in the 2022 Trots Country Cups Championship, which carries a $35,000 bonus for the winner.

Phoenix Prince is second to Demon Delight and a first or second will take him to the outright lead.

Dont Care and Locksley Lover are vying for favouritism in the Group 2 $30,000 Dancinginthedark M @ Aldebaran Park Maryborough Trotters Cup, 2690m.

The four-year-olds will each start off the front row in the stand. The Group 1 winning Dont Care has returned to racing with back-to-back wins for trainer Kate Hargreaves, while Locksley Lover is building towards his first win this preparation after a third to Just Believe in the Shepparton Trotters Cup and second to Dont Care at Melton.

Maori’s Idol Trotting Championship leader Havehorsewilltravel is the backmarker on 30 metres, with seconds in the Kilmore and Swan Hill Cups in his past three starts.

For complete race fields, click here.

by David Brehaut, for HRV