Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Ace trainer-reinsman Chris Voak was delighted with Fat Louie’s powerful performance to win at Northam last Saturday week and he is confident that the inexperienced four-year-old will prove hard to beat in the $50,000 John Higgins Memorial next Friday week.
“He will have his final hit-out before going into the Higgins when he runs in the opening event (the $21,000 Rotary Ending Polio Pace over 2130m) at Gloucester Park on Friday night,” said Voak.
“He is a good chance, even from the outside barrier on the front line. This is the preliminary final before the grand final. The run will top him off for the final.”
The New Zealand-bred Fat Louie has had only nine starts (all in WA) for four wins and four placings. He was most impressive in a heat of the Higgins at Northam at his latest appearance when he began from the back line and raced in the one-out, two-back position before starting a three-wide run 400m from home and then switching four wide on the home turn and sprinting fast to take the lead 90m from the post and winning by almost a length from Blameitonthenight, rating 1.58.7 over 2190m.
His toughest rivals appear to be Im Lord Logan, Art Ideal and When In Vegas, with Im Lord Logan strongly favoured after receiving the coveted No. 1 barrier in the random draw.
Im Lord Logan, trained and driven by Dylan Egerton-Green, had no luck when he reappeared after a let-up in a 2190m event at Northam last Saturday week. He was trapped three wide early after starting from barrier five and then was restrained to the rear and was blocked for a clear run until late when eighth, five lengths behind Fat Louie.
Im Lord Logan, a winner at one of his six New Zealand starts, has had 16 starts in WA for four wins and six placings. He set the pace and won at three of his WA appearances, scoring at Northam, Narrogin and Bunbury.
Former New South Wales performer Art Ideal is getting close to his first WA success for trainer-reinsman Lindsay Harper. The three-year-old possesses good gate speed and should appreciate a favourable barrier at No. 2. He has worked hard at his past three starts before fighting on gamely for three third placings.
When In Vegas, to be driven by Deni Roberts for leading trainers Greg and Skye Bond, is the other three-year-old in the Friday’s race in which he will begin out wide at barrier seven. He raced wide early and then in the breeze when a last-start second to Mysta Moon Walker over 2190m at Northam four weeks ago.