WRITTEN BY: SCOTT HAMILTON
The final field is set and punters are salivating at the chance to see these quality animals hit the Great Southern circuit in search of Bluff Knoll Glory.
Laced Up Heels was a force to be reckoned with when racing in the Luke Fernie yard and returns from the East to his care looking to get back to that from which saw her beat Amelia's Jewel on the big stage.
A winner of over $200,000 across her three wins from twelve starts; her comfortable trial win over Snowdome showed she has come back with as much class as she left the state with as she teams up with Delta Agribusiness in the Bluff Knoll.
Chris Parnham is booked to ride her at 54.5kgs and the pair will need to overcome barrier 13 to score the W.
Gold Front's Acromantula heralds from the Pearce Racing team and comes into this with a rating of m102 with over $560,000 in the bank from eight wins across twenty-eight starts.
All eight wins have been at 1000m, but has placed at Gr.3 level at 1100m in the Roma Cup behind Amelia's Jewel.
Jarrad Noske jumps aboard for the first time, 57.5kgs the weight and the pair jump from barrier 12.
Mitchell Pateman will be hungry to claim the first ever The Bluff Knoll Slot Race with Songaa who will compete for Rainbow Coast Insurance.
With Holly Watson at 55kgs on his back; the m70 rated galloper with $108,000 banked already will be searching for his third win in the state when he jumps from barrier 11 on the day.
With three wins at the 1000m, this get-back speedster is set to fly late at the Albany Racing Club.
Red Can Man. What more needs to be said about the warrior of the Great Southern region.
Trained by Steve Wolfe and representing the Pelican's Albany Slot in the richest race to hit the WA Country racing scene; Red Can Man boasts a record to be reckoned with come race day. Over $1.2M in bankroll. Gr.3 Winner. Nine wins. Sixteen Placings. Wins from 1000m-1400m.
Wolfey will be very keen to see this star in his twilight years take out the first Bluff Knoll. How special.
Slot holders Gangemi Racing bring Thomas Magnum to the Bluff Knoll and will leg up Clint Johnston-Porter for the occasion.
Three wins to his name, all at 1000m. This get-back type will be flooding home late and his group of energetic owners will be partying all through Albany for days to come if they take home the lion's share of prizemoney.
A sticky barrier greets the white, red and green silks with the 5yo starting from 9 on the day.
Some Sort, also trained by Gangemi Racing, will come to Albany Racing Club for the Inswing Sportsbar slotholders... who also don't mind a celebration!
A seven-year-old with a 17% winning strike rate with wins at 1000m, 1100m and 1200m - the son of Snippetson will be looking to end a long run of outs on the biggest stage in Country Racing in WA.
Jordan Turner takes the ride at 55kgs and will start from right next door to his stablemate in barrier 8.
Strathmore Rose, a bay mare by War Chant who has amassed a healthy $210,000 plus bonuses for local connections, will start from barrier 7 in the Wellington & Reeves The Bluff Knoll Slot Race for trainer/slotholder Roy Rogers Racing.
With a win to her name in the TABtouch Fitzpatrick Plate in 2023, the speedy type boasts wins at 1000m, 1100m, and 1230m... five of those coming at 1100m!
Beau Banovic-Edwards takes the ride at 54.5kgs.
Beads is the next runner down the grid in barrier 6 for trainer/slotholder S J Wolfe Racing and leading local jockey Natasha Faithful.
This Star Turn gelding with a m84 rating has all six of his wins coming at 1000m.
His bankroll of $382,000 is impressive and we wish Albany's leading trainer and all of this horses's connections all the very best here in the Bluff Knoll.
Rebecca Bayliss Racing will team up with Peters Investments pty ltd with Beau Zoom. Three wins 1100m-1200m, striking at 11% - this Brazen Beau gelding has a distinct home ground advantage here.
Top young rider Luke Campbell will take the mount for the first time for team Bayliss/Peters and will navigate the 1099m journey from barrier 5.
A strong local horse for a strong race.
Snowdome carries a m100 rating and comes into this $350,000 affair for the Go Charlie slotholders for trainer Neville Parnham and jockey Laqdar Ramoly.
His last win in the Gr.3 Prince Of Wales Stakes at Ascot was super impressive. Sitting outside the pacemaker and never giving up to beat Man Crush and Red Can Man - an effort like this will see him very hard to beat in the Great Southern.
The 4yo Rommel entire will start from barrier 4 when the spring open on the biggest race day Albany has ever seen.
Oscar's Fortune will be fighting it out for the Two Fillies Stud slot in the Bluff Knoll Slot Race with trainer Dion Luciani still looking for a rider for the 3yo Rich Enuff gelding who has banked over half-a-million dollars and was a runner-up in the Placid Ark and Winterbottom Stakes last preparation.
His four wins, all at 1000m, see him a perfect fit for the Bluff Knoll and a brilliant barrier will make this m101 rated gelding highly sought after in the betting ring.
He's yet to miss a cheque and could have his name etched in Country racing history here!
We see Saloon Bar racing for the Morton Racing team who took up a slot in the inaugural $350,000 event on March 10. Steven Parnham is booked to ride the gelding in his eighteenth appearance. Coming off a win at Ascot in December over 1200m beating the likes of Street Parade - this Sessions 4yo has a devastating finish to his races.
With over $300,000 in prizemoney and bonuses to his name already - we wish Morton Racing all the best in adding to that tally.
Gemma's Son will step out for trainer Embroja-Lee Altieri as the richest horse in the field for the RAM Racing unit. A juvenile to be reckoned with with wins at both the 2yo and 3yo Magic Millions features of his era, the now 6yo is still going strong; placing in the Miss Andretti in January this year.
Gemma's Son will team up in the big race with a jockey who knows the circuit well, Shaun McGruddy and will load into barrier one come race day.
General Admission Tickets are still available on a day that promised to be one of the most entertaining days in Albany Race Club's history!
Commentaires