TRAINER Shane Tritton says Suave Stuey Lombo is ‘‘ready to rock‘n’roll’’ for the Cordina Sprint then back up for the $750,000 Miracle Mile at Menangle on November 29.
Suave Stuey Lombo is a $1.30favourite for the final Miracle Mile qualifier, the group1 Cordina Sprint on Saturday night at Menangle.
The fastest pacer in the nation is on the fourth line of betting for the Miracle Mile despite not yet securing his place in the field. A fourth in the Newcastle Mile left the Keinbah-trained front-runner needing to at least run in a Menangle heat of the series to earn an invite. The Cordina winner is guaranteed a Miracle Mile start but most believe Suave Stuey Lombo will gain one of two remaining discretionary invites regardless of the result. Tritton, though, was focused on Suave Stuey Lombo leaving no doubt.
‘‘We would think so,’’ Tritton said of his No.1 hope gaining an invite.
‘‘But we’re planning on him being 100per cent this weekend.
‘‘Everything is on track for what we wanted and he’s been on this path for a long time, so he should be ready to rock‘n’roll this weekend and hopefully the owners get their best chance to win a group1.’’
Suave Stuey Lombo has an amazing record at Menangle where he dominated his rivals with front-running efforts.
He has broken one minute, 52 seconds seven times at the track this year and Tritton expected him to roll to the front again and set the pace despite drawing wide in gate eight.
‘‘He’s always starting wide,’’ Tritton said.
‘‘I don’t think we’ve ever had a good draw with Stuey at Menangle, so I don’t think the barrier will worry him too much.’’
Tritton nominated three runners for the Cordina but Laterron was scratched after she pulled up tight on Tuesday following a fourth last week in heats of the mares series at Menangle. He said she will saved for the mares final at Menangle next week.
The withdrawal left Tritton with Suave Stuey Lombo and Mark Dennis in the $100,000race.
Tritton rated Mark Dennis a genuine place hope after finally gaining luck at the draw.
The six-year-old gelding won on debut for Tritton at group3 level but has since finished out of the placings in the group1 Queensland Pacing Championship, group3 Nick Robin and last week’s group1 Coca Cola Sprint from bad draws.
Tritton believed the start from gate three will give Mark Dennis a chance to shine.
‘‘That will help and it’s a drop in grade compared to the last couple of races he’s been in,’’ he said.
‘‘He’s taking on Stuey but the whole depth of the race is down a bit.’’
Tritton has 11 runners on the nine-race card which includes heats of the Smoken Up Championship, Franco Australian Trotters series and Beautide Championship.
