Early speed the key in Group 3

Having switched into beast mode last week Brandlo Prince’s handlers are asking can their front-runner double down for a prized piece of silverware this Friday night?

The Group 3 Saddleworld Shepparton Trotters Cup has drawn some of the nation’s finest trotters including Majestuoso and Pink Galahs, who’ll be expected to make a late march from the back row for the $25,000 title. Click here to view fields for the meeting.

Trainer-driver Chris Svanosio’s hopeful it will be his silks the Group 1 champs are chasing late in the middle-distance trot, which headlines a fantastic 10-race card.

Brandlo Prince broke through for his first win since July at Bendigo last Saturday and did so in emphatic fashion, winning by eight metres with a bold display for reinswoman Tayla French.

“He was terrific,” Svanosio told Trots Talk. “It suited his style of racing, he was able to get away fair and work his way to the front, and once he finds the front he can just seem to keep running good sectionals and he’s pretty hard to beat out there.”

His 28.4-second third quarter stunned the 70-100 national rating class, gapping his rivals, with only favourite Havehorsewilltravel able to finish within 10 metres.

“(Tayla) kicked away on the bend but said virtually she couldn’t hold him he was travelling that good,” Svanosio said.

“He just put a few lengths on them so easily and she was amazed. It will be a fair bit harder on Friday night but hopefully he can go as good.”

Stepping up against the elite of his class is nothing new for the five-year-old, who was bred by Yabby Dam Farms when they pared sire Orlando Vici with dam Bohemian Queen.

Friday will be his ninth mobile start in the open class for two placings, but the key appears to lie in whether he can use a likely gate two start to snatch the chance to free-wheel out in front.

Eight of his 51 career starts carry a ‘L1’ note from the stewards, denoting he led at the bell, which have in turn produced five of his 12 wins plus a second and third placing. The only miss was a 10^th on debut when he broke.

The key is his often modest early speed from the gate, which has made it difficult for him to the find the top.

“It would be ideal if he could find the front, but there’s a fair bit of gate speed outside him and he does lack a bit of speed,” Svanosio said.

“Horses like Aldebaran Crescent and Majestic Courtney can really burn the gate, but if he could somehow work his way to the front at some stage I’m sure he could run a terrific race.

“If not it will be a bit harder, but he’s a bit tougher and in good form, so we are hoping he can run a good race wherever he ends up.

“He’s raced Majestuoso a few times before and he’s always been a bit behind those horses. He ran fifth a few weeks ago to him, he’s been placed behind him.

“I’d say that’s about where he’s been – a few length off the best ones – but we’re hoping he’s in good form, he can keep improving and hopefully step up a bit more Friday night and get a bit closer to him.

“Obviously it’s a tough grade – Majestuoso, Pink Galahs and half a dozen in that race have been running in Group 1 races for a long time. They are pretty hard to beat, you’ve really got to be at the top of your game so we are hoping that he can prove that he’s up to them.”

Saturday’s card also features The Abrahams 2YO Trotters Classic and the Saddleworld Shepparton Trotters Oaks, part of a terrific squaregaiting card that will be able to be enjoyed live and free on Trots Vision at thetrots.com.au.

By Michael Howard for HRV