High hopes for speedster Acromantula in first The Bluff Knoll, trainer bullish on local hope Strathmore Rose

Co-trainers Ben and Dan Pearce will leave no stone unturned in their bid to win the inaugural The Bluff Knoll on Sunday with speedster Acromantula. Excitement continues to build for Albany’s slot race worth $357,060 and the Pearce brothers believe they have the right combination to write their name into the history books first. Acromantula was spelled after a terrific Eastern States campaign that included a win in the listed Carlyon Stakes at Moonee Valley while also contesting the Group 1 Moir Stakes. The six-year-old returned home to WA where he ran sixth in the listed Crawford Stakes and has since had two barrier trials in the lead-up to the first edition of The Bluff Knoll. All eight of his career wins have come over 1000m and despite the 1099m distance at Percy Spencer Racecourse, Ben Pearce said their gelding will take some catching up front. “We are not going to change anything, he should be setting a really good tempo in front,” he said. “He had a super preparation last time in, going over to Melbourne and found a track that really suited his racing style. “Albany the way its been playing this season, we feel it’s a similar track that would suit him. “We identified this as a good opportunity when the race was announced and got the owners to buy a slot.” Acromantula has drawn barrier 12 in the field of 13 and will carry 57.5kg with Jarrad Noske aboard. Meanwhile Albany galloper Strathmore Rose should not be forgotten in the feature, according to trainer Roy Rogers. Strathmore Rose is one of four Albany-trained runners in the set weights and penalties race. The six-year-old mare gets in well with 54.5kg and has local hoop Beaux Banovic-Edwards aboard from gate seven. Strathmore Rose finished fourth in the recent Fitzpatrick Plate and won a 1000m barrier trial on February 9 to be cherry ripe for this assignment. “She was a terrific run in the Fitzpatrick, only beaten a length,” Rogers said. “The good thing was jockey Madi (Derrick) said she was doing her best work on the line so I’m happy coming out of that and to go into this with that trial win in good fashion and a couple of good track gallops. “As soon as this race was earmarked, I had her pencilled in and bought a slot. “She is a track and distance specialist and has a good weight. “It’s a red-hot field, a Group 1 field really but one thing we have in our favour is we don’t have to travel.” Top jockey Brad Parnham will ride Oscar’s Fortune from the Dion Luciani camp. Oscar’s Fortune opened a $2.60 favourite with TABtouch in early markets while Albany hope Red Can Man was the second elect at $4.60. Oscar’s Fortune finished second in the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes behind Overpass in December and the brilliant three-year-old has won four of her six career starts. Rising trainer Luke Fernie will have leading metro jockey Chris Parnham aboard as they attempt to win the race with Laced Up Heels ($6.50 chance). Top weight Snowdome is the other runner in single figures in early markets but the Neville Parnham-trained star will have to lump 58.5kg from barrier four with Laqdar Ramoly to ride. The Bluff Knoll will be run at 5pm on Sunday, the highlight of an eight-race card at Albany Racing Club. Wellington & Reeves The Bluff Knoll (1099m) – Sunday, 5pm 1. Snowdome (Barrier 4) T: Neville Parnham J: Laqdar Ramoly 58.5kg 2. Acromantula (12) T: Daniel and Ben Peace J: Jarrad Noske 57.5kg 3. Red Can Man (10) T: Steve Wolfe J: Joseph Azzopardi 56.5kg 4. Gemma’s Son (1) T: Embroja-Lee Altieri J: Shaun McGruddy 55kg 5. Beads (6) T: Steve Wolfe J: Natasha Faithfull 55kg 6. Saloon Bar (2) T: Daniel Morton J: Steven Parnham 55kg 7. Some Sort (8) T: Chris & Michael Gangemi J: Jordan Turner 55kg 8. Thomas Magnum T: Chris & Michael Gangemi J: Clint Johnston-Porter 55kg 9. Beau Zoom (5) T: Rebecca Bayliss J: Luke Campbell 55kg 10. Songaa (11) T: Mitchell Pateman J: Holly Watson 55kg 11. Strathmore Rose (7) T: Roy Rogers J: Beaux Banovic-Edwards 54.5kg 12. Laced Up Heels (13) T: Luke Fernie J: Chris Parnham 54.5kg 13. Oscar’s Fortune (3) T: Dion Luciani J: Brad Parnham 54kg