Consistent Quinton Scott-trained galloper can cap special day for connections with win at Flemington Connections of Another Prelate will be hoping the consistent gelding can cap a memorable David Bourke Provincial Plate Day at Flemington on Saturday with a victory in the $80,000 TROA/Luxbet Winter Championship Heat 6 (1400m).
Five of the eight-year-old’s part-owners, Mary Gannon as well as Hugh, Gavan, Michael and Brian Bourke, are siblings of the late former VRC CEO David Bourke CBE of whom the day’s feature race is named after.
With both Gavan and Hugh attending the races on Saturday, trainer Quinton Scott said it would be great to be able to celebrate the significant occasion for his horse’s owners with a victory.
“I’m really happy with how the horse is going, he’s done well since his last run and I’m looking forward to the race,” Scott said.
“His past two runs have been more than satisfactory, I haven’t had a really serious look at the race yet but the first four home in the race from his last run are in it again on Saturday so it’s not going to be any easier.
“I think he’s had an ideal preparation so far to go the mile at his fourth run back and he’ll definitely press on towards the (Winter Championship) final (1600m) after Saturday.”
Drawn in barrier 6 for in-form jockey Craig Robertson, who is experiencing one of his best seasons to date with 77 Victorian wins, Another Prelate comes into Saturday’s race well placed on the current Winter Championship points table following runner-up finishes in both the second and fourth heats.
Occupying the third line of the TAB fixed odds market at $8.50, the eight-year-old meets last-start conqueror That's The One two kilograms better for his 1.3 length defeat.
Click here to view the current standings in the 2013 TROA/Luxbet Winter Championship Series
Should the son of Lord Vain prove successful in Heat 6, he would be in the box seat for a $50,000 bonus available to any horse that can score the most points throughout the series and go on to win the $150,000 Winter Championship Final (1600m) at Flemington on July 6.
Other horses prominent on the Winter Championship points table set to line up again on Saturday include Heat 4 victor That’s The One, as well his Colin and Cindy Alderson-trained stable mate Del Palio who took out Heat 3 at Sale in May.
David Hayes’ six-year-old gelding Extra Zero is another in contention for the bonus following consistent efforts in both the second and fourth heats.
Click here to view the full field, form and barriers for the fourth heat of the TROA/Luxbet Winter Championship, scheduled to kick-off the quaddie at 2:22pm, or the rest of Saturday’s Flemington program
By Ben Asgari
