Bit change the key for Eagle Royalty

Last Friday night Eagle Royalty was a fading 10th behind In The Spotlight in harness racing’s Group 1 Diamond Classic, but trainer Ross Olivieri is confident that the filly can bounce back and win the Rotary Club of Fremantle Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.

Eagle Royalty settled down in seventh position for Chris Lewis before she dashed forward with a lightning move, three wide, after 700m to move to the breeze outside the pacemaker Sovrana where she began to race fiercely before wilting over the final 450m to finish more than 12 lengths behind the winner.

“Eagle Royalty overraced and was off her head,” said Olivieri. “I’m changing the bit on her, something that will stop her from pulling. From barrier three I expect her to lead over the mile.”

Olivieri also expects a strong showing from Taking The Miki, who will be driven by Chris Voak from barrier six. Taking The Miki gave an excellent performance to finish second to In The Spotlight last week. She was tightened moments after the start and lost a couple of lengths before being shuffled back to the rear.

Taking The Miki then sustained a spirited three-wide burst that took her from seventh at the bell. “We expect her to improve on that run,” said Olivieri. “We might have had her a little underdone last week.”

Extraordinary Mary, prepared by Olivieri’s wife Jemma Hayman, will have admirers in this week’s race in which she will start from barrier five with Shannon Suvaljko in the sulky. Extraordinary Mary ran home solidly from ninth at the bell to finish fourth in the Diamond Classic.

Wonderful To Fly, trained and driven by Shane Young has won at three of her eight starts and cannot be underestimated. She warmed up for this week’s race with a smart trial win over 2185m at Pinjarra on Wednesday of last week when she finished strongly to beat Punchbowl after final quarters of 27.1sec. and 29.8sec.

By Ken Casellas for Gloucester Park