Classy Father Patrick set for comfortable win

FATHER PATRICK's form dwarfs his 11 rivals, making the four-year-old gelding a banker in Saturday's Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Commission Trophy at five and a half furlongs.

A winner at six and a half furlongs a month ago, FATHER PATRICK stalked quick TRULY AMAZING and took over off the turn for a strong victory ahead of DUKE, who returns for a rematch, again sitting level at 117lb with his speedier rival.

Not only is DUKE returning at the exact weight, 117lb, with FATHER PATRICK, it took the grey colt forever to wear down TRULY AMAZING from whom he had snatched second, by a neck, going a furlong and a half longer than Saturday's race.

Though DUKE returned to beat SOUL CURE by two lengths at five furlongs round, eight days later, the race would have been far closer had his stablemate not impeded ROY ROGERS charging along the rail.

FATHER PATRICK's class is undeniable, beaten only by stablemate MAHOGANY in his previous race and returning to gallop 1:13.0 for six furlongs at exercise upside the poorly ridden Guineas runner-up on July 14.

Has matured as a stalker

There isn't much contending speed to bother FATHER PATRICK, who has matured as a stalker and should comfortably track the likes of PEKING CRUZ, DUNROBIN and GOD OF LOVE before kicking for home with Omar Walker.

Walker will be trying to go all the way in the eighth event at five furlongs straight with Louis Richards' speedy filly, SHE'S A HIT, who returns with blinkers refitted and breaking from the one hole.

Richards' speedster got off the mark at four furlongs straight on debut last November and has hardly been led in a race since. As zippy as they come, SHE'S A HIT won't be badly inconvenienced with the main gate centred for the small field of seven.

However, former champion trainer Wayne DaCosta's EAGLE ONE could sprout wings in midtrack, running from post-position five with claiming apprentice Romario Spencer. DaCosta, dethroned by Nunes last season after sitting atop the trainers' ranks for 13 consecutive years, amassing 18 titles along the way, has only won four races in nine meets, but could spin his luck with a two-timer, FAKE NEWS and EAGLE ONE.

Standing down Anthony Thomas, who was declared on the overnight programme to partner EAGLE ONE with 126lb, DaCosta has clipped nine pounds off the American speedster by calling in Spencer. EAGLE ONE had finished ahead of SHE'S A HIT, chasing home fellow American, RACE CAR, at six and a half furlongs, but will still have to be at his sharpest to outfinish the quick filly at five furlongs straight, even though he is better drawn.