The secret is out

Nine races are down for decision this Saturday night, with an eight-horse open pace that looks at the mercy of Wisper A Secret, while the airborne Golden Sunset looks hard to stop in an open trot to be held under mobile conditions.

It has been a mixed season to date for Wisper A Secret, recording two wins but missing a place in his other four starts.

Circumstances have certainly not been in the gelding’s favour, with wide gates and race patterns working against Wisper A Secret who will again start from barrier eight.

However, last start he was sizzling when breaking through the 1.50 barrier with a career best 1.49.7 win when starting from the same gate he faces this week, showing he is back near the peak of his powers.

On that occasion, he sat behind the leader Catseye Beach, and was produced at the top of the stretch, quickly accelerating clear of his rivals once finding open space.

This week, Pete McMullen will likely be looking to angle into the running line in the early stages, with the map suggesting that he would be shuffled back if opting to stay on the inside.

Classie Washington should strip fitter for this assignment following his latest start when resuming from a spell with a handy third to Wisper A Secret, Layne Dwyer taking the reins on that occasion, with Angus Garrard to reunite with the eight-year-old this week.

Tims A Trooper has fared poorly at the barrier draw and will need to overcome gate seven, while Braedos Lad will start from four and last start upset winner Luvbite, facing a tough ask from gate five.

The Racing & Sports.Com Open Pace is Race 3 at 6.42pm.

Golden Sunset looks set to continue her winning ways, the mare running hot and chasing a hat-trick of victories in the 2138 metre open trot.

Breaking the track record at the mile with a dominant front-running performance last start, two starts back, she set a mare’s class record over 2138 metres, the same trip as this week’s task.

Masterly is the query runner, the six-year-old gelding making his first race appearance in Australia, the son of Love You arriving as a nine-time winner.

The gelding trialled well on Tuesday in readiness for his first start since arriving from the South Island of New Zealand, with Chloe Butler to take the reins on Saturday.

A one-time track record holder at the mile, Van Sank finished third behind Golden Sunset last start and will start from inside the second line this week, with driver Adam Sanderson taking the reins on the eight-year-old.

“His last run was track record time and he went faster than when he had the track record,” Sanderson said.

“I think he is racing probably as good as ever.”

From inside the second line, Van Sank will likely be buried away, but an economical trip over the 2138 metres can be a favourable position if still in possession of momentum, when the gaps open.

“At worst I will be four fence, but hopefully three fence and obviously Golden Sunset looks the one to beat, she should roll to the front and probably hard to beat.

“If he gets a soft trip, I can’t see him missing a place.”

The Pryde’s Easifeed Racing Cube Trotters Mobile is Race 4 at 7.15pm.

BEST BETS

Chris Barsby

R1 N1 Lochinvar Jag – “I think this is a perfect set up for him on Saturday night. The fact that he draws gate one, they’ve got a lot of options there. They can either try for an all the way victory or worst-case scenario they will be in the trail.”

Darren Clayton

R5 N1 Bonnies Dance – “At her best when finding the fence, this mare should have all the options from gate one. Don’t be fooled by her middle trip numbers, there is more to the tale and her recent efforts have been good enough to take this.