Egerton-Green aims for a perfect record

Outstanding young reinsman Dylan Egerton-Green will replace ace harness racing driver Ryan Warwick in the sulky behind the brilliant Patronus Star in the $25,000 NYE At Gloucester Park Free-For-All at Gloucester Park on Thursday night with high hopes of maintaining his unbeaten record behind the New Zealand-bred three-year-old.

Warwick, who has handled Patronus Star at his past four starts for a total of five drives for four wins and a last-start second when the son of American Ideal gave an excellent performance first-up after a spell to finish second to Vivere Damore in the Group 2 Christmas Gift last Friday night.

Egerton-Green is excited at the opportunity to drive Patronus Star after Warwick decided to take a brief holiday over the festive season. Egerton-Green has driven the Greg and Skye Bond-trained pacer three times for a superb victory in the WA Derby in April this year and in two events at Pinjarra in July.

Patronus Star is perfectly drawn at the No. 1 barrier in the 2130m race on Thursday night and Egerton-Green is certain to take full advantage of the draw by using the gelding’s excellent gate speed in a strong bid for an all-the-way victory.

Patronus Star was far from disgraced at his first outing after a four-month absence when he began out wide at barrier eight last Friday night. He was restrained to last in the field of 12 before surging forward, three wide, to be fourth at the bell and second with 500m to travel. He then issued a strong challenge to the pacemaker Vivere Damore before wilting in the home straight to finish two and a half lengths behind that mare.

With Patronus Star certain to lead, Braeview Bondi, the only runner on the back line, should enjoy a perfect run behind that pacer. Braeview Bondi, a big heavily built five-year-old, has been freshened up since he raced at the rear on the pegs and finished tenth behind Vultan Tin in the 2936m WA Pacing Cup three Fridays ago.

“It took a bit of time for him to get over his Pacing Cup run,” said his trainer Michael Brennan. “However, his work has been good, and he looks good.”

Emily Suvaljko will resume as the driver of the Phil Costello-trained Vultan Tin, replacing her father Shannon, who handled the tough eight-year-old at his past two starts — for his fast-finishing win over Chicago Bull and Mighty Conqueror in the WA Pacing Cup and his last placing from a wide barrier in the 2130m Lords Mayor’s Cup the following week.

Vultan Tin will start from the outside barrier (No. 9) and faces a stern test. However, he is versatile and has the ability to fight out the finish.

Oakford trainer Ross Olivieri has Stroke Of Luck racing keenly, and the seven-year-old should be prominent from barrier four. He finished solidly from eighth, five back on the pegs, at the bell when a sound fourth behind Vampiro last Friday night.

Ken Casellas