Ageing warrior finding form ahead of Ballarat test

Nephew Of Sonoko ended a winless streak of over 760 days when he claimed his first harness racing victory since winning an Inter Dominion heat at Shepparton in November 2022, breaking through at Bendigo on cup night.

The Ross Graham-trained gelding has found a bit a form in his later years leading up to that breakthrough win.

“His form leading up to that win – sectional wise was good times,” Graham said.

“I had hoped he had got back there, but I don’t think he will get back to his best with age against him.

“We will keep punching him around and see what he is eligible for.”

The Sutton Grange trainer has one eye on a potential Great Southern Star berth come February 1.

“It would be whether or not he can gain a start.” he said.

“He thrives on the regular racing – he has always been that way throughout his career and if he can get a race once a week – that is when he starts to go at his best.”

The squaregaiter will head into Saturday night’s Group 3 Aldebaran Park Knight Pistol at Ballarat in a similar vein to his last-start win.

“He feels the same as he did leading into his last race,” he said.

“The barrier draw hasn’t been real kind to us with us drawing outside the front with the more favoured ones drawn to a forward position.”

James Herbertson is set to pilot the squaregaiter with the pair drawing seven for the 2200m event.

The Chris Svanosio trained and driven Arcee Phoenix has drawn three and will likely start a hot favourite for the $30,000 event.

by Lachlan Mitchell, for Harness Racing Victoria