Good Times out to score second Cup

Local pacer Good Times Ahead will tackle a top-quality field as he chases successive victories in tonight’s $10,000 Boston Brewery Denmark Cup (2258m) for Albany trainer Bob Poolman at Harold Reid Paceway.

Poolman won the race with Good Times Ahead last year but the task will be even tougher this year with a crack field of 10 runners assembled for the feature race.

Recent Albany Cup winner Major Stare is among the field along with former New Zealand star Besotted, Dredlock Rockstar and Brotha Ofa Gangster.

Good Times Ahead has been in terrific form with a placing at Gloucester Park last month and a win here in Albany, before finishing fifth to Athabascan, who will be in the Denmark Cup field, at his most recent start.

“Its quite a strong field this year,” Poolman said.

“His last three or four runs apart from last week have been outstanding.

“He came down with a bit of a cold over the last week but hopefully I’m on top of that and he can bounce back.

“If he can get up near the lead, he’s a sneaky chance but there are some really good horses drawn behind him.”

The five-year-old gelding will be driven by Shane Butterworth from gate five on the front line.

Cest Lheure has barrier one for trainer Andrew De Campo and his son Aiden, who will be in the sulky, while Athabascan has drawn well for Albany-based trainer Matthew Saw and young driver Madeleine Young in gate four on the front line.

Reinsman Lang Inwood retains the drive on Major Stare after their impressive victory in last month’s Albany Cup, and the pair will start from the inside of the front line in the feature.

Besotted will have only his second race start in WA after running third on debut for trainer Gary Hall Sr at Gloucester Park in April 2016.

The classy pacer won a recent barrier trial ahead of his first start for new trainer Caris Hamilton-Smith with Michael Ferguson to drive from the outside of the second row.

A 10-race program is set for the Albany Harness Racing Club tonight, continuing the strong season.

The first race is at 6.06pm and the last event at 10.25pm.