Eldaytona will be tested over a longer distance at Gloucester Park on Friday night but reinsman Lindsay Harper does not think that will be an issue for his charge.
The four-year-old has never raced further than 2185m in his 24 starts so far but will step up to 2536m when he contests the Allwood Stud Devoted To Breeding Excellence Pace, which is the opening race on the card.
Harper confident
Despite the step up in distance, Harper is not concerned. Eldaytona is set to jump from barrier five and Harper is hoping he will get the chance to lead, although the Code Breaker, who will be driven by Chris Voak in four will have the same idea.
“I don’t think that the extra distance will worry him,” Harper said ahead of the race. “Ideally, I would like to lead, so we will be going forward at the start.”
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Great form
Eldaytona has been in great form during his eight starts this season. He has won five of them and also has a couple of seconds.
He also came 10th in the other race but that was down to bad luck and Harper has been impressed with his form.
“His record is very good, and you can’t fault his runs,” Harper added. “The only time in his current preparation that he hasn’t won or run second was two starts ago when he locked wheels on the home turn. If it hadn’t been for that he would have won or run second.”
