Weight no worry for Naturaliste in series heat

Albany trainer Kevin Allen is confident talented galloper Naturaliste can lump 59.5kg and still play a part in this afternoon’s $20,000 Skyracing.Tv Provincial Championship Series Heat (1230m) at Percy Spencer Racecourse.

Naturaliste comes into provincial series heat with the best form line of any runner, finishing behind red-hot sprinter Man Booker at his last start back in February.

Tackling 72-plus company over 1200m in Pinjarra, Naturaliste settled in fourth place for Troy Turner and finished eighth, beaten 4¼ lengths behind the winner Man Booker, which has since won the listed Pinjarra Classic, the listed Bunbury Stakes and Saturday’s listed Grandstand Cup.

The five-year-old was installed as top weight in the today’s feature race with 61kg, but courtesy of apprentice Fiona Bell’s claim, will carry 59.5kg and start from barrier five the field of 11 runners.

Allen said he was hoping his galloper could resume from a spell in strong fashion.

“He’s tracking along quite nicely,” he said.

“I’m hoping he’s ready for it; he hasn’t started for seven weeks.

“A few are a bit fitter than him but I hope his ability gets him through. It’s a bit of weight but he’s carried that before and Fiona rides him well.”

Rising mare Senate Bianca also resumes from a short let-up in the series heat and has drawn ideally in gate one for Albany hoop Mitchell Pateman. A winner at three of 11 career starts, Senate Bianca was a runner-up to Queen Tori on February 12 before going for a break.

“She had three weeks out in the paddock and came back to target this series,” trainer Mark Nelson said. “She has a very quick turn of foot and comes into this fresh as a daisy.”

Local trainer Steve Wolfe said ex-Victorian galloper Mr Pago would be hitting the line strongly in his WA debut while stablemate War Jeune, who had been disappointing, needed to find his best form from barrier seven.

The championships series heat, which was transferred from last week’s washed-out meeting at Mt Barker, is one of 10 races on the bumper Albany card, which starts at 12.20pm.

Wolfe also has three-year-old Minus Looks contesting the listed $100,000 Raconteur Stakes (1500m) at Ascot on Saturday.

Cam’s Albany Selections

R1: Nodustonme, Molly Kisses, Lovejoy, Dime A Decoy

R2: Vermont Lady, Motorvator, Red Gregory, So Edgy

R3: Jester Rock, Wroughted, Cosmah Domination, Falco

R4: Daisy Express, Cestrinus, Jetson Express, Starry Universe

R5: Ready To Fire, Rive Gauche, Queen Of Tease, Galinba Blast

R6: Spin Da Wheels, Niccatrice, Bindaree Lady, Rowie

R7: Senate Bianca, Blizzard Express, Naturaliste, Miss Kitwe

R8: Count Kala, Ellens Choice, Foxinator, Chillie Storm

R9: One Short, Boomnbust, Parisienne Lady, Babble

R10: Mica Lil, Better Romance, Our Buddy Boy, Vino Beneteau

Best bet: Senate Bianca

Double: Spin Da Wheels