Abbey Road to dominate

Outsped by ANOTHER BULLET on a fast Diamond Mile surface last weekend, Richard Azan's ABBEY ROAD should get his due in tomorrow's Joseph Armond Memorial at 1820 metres. Though sired by speed-throwing Blue Pepsi Lodge, ABBEY ROAD has shown the traits of his dam's Broadway Belle's progenies on the racetrack, preferring a more relaxed pace to stalk and run at.

Though fitted with a tongue tie for his last two races, ABBEY ROAD couldn't get close enough to his rivals, who ripped almost identical splits in back-to-back races, an average of 1:11.0 for six furlongs, running Azan's gelding off his legs down the backstretch.

ABBEY ROAD just failed to nab BONGO KING at a mile on November 4, losing by a short head after chasing splits of 23.4, 46.3 and 1:10.4.

Last Saturday, it was even tougher, at 1500 metres. ABBEY ROAD had to settle for third, three lengths behind ANOTHER BULLET, who zipped home in 23.4, 46.3 and 1:11.1 to beat late-closing TURBO MACHINE CAT by a neck.

At 1820 metres, with no real speed around, ABBEY ROAD should have a field day with Dane Nelson aboard, replacing the gelding's previous apprentice riders, who really had nothing to do with him losing his last two races.

In-form CAMOUFLAGE will try dictating terms, but ABBEY ROAD had him safely held in fourth, a length and a half behind, when third to ANOTHER BULLET last week.

Though he has picked up a pound for that run, ABBEY ROAD should still outstay CAMOUFLAGE, who had wilted at 10 furlongs and was beaten by BROWN GIRL in weaker company on November 18.