3 minute read
Trainer Ryan Bell has full confidence Whataretheodds will be able to make the most of a favourable barrier draw in tomorrow night’s John Higgins Memorial (2130m) at Gloucester Park.
The five-year-old has the coveted barrier one for the $50,000 event, as he looks to continue his strong form on return from a lengthy spell.
He has the draw advantage on his main rivals Sorridere and Vegas Strip, who drew barrier four and seven respectively.
Bell said he expected Whataretheodds to lead and be hard to beat in the feature.
"He's pretty natural off the gate," Ryan Bell told TAB radio.
"All Trent (Wheeler) has to do is put him on the gate and he will go with him.
"It's a step up in grade for Vegas Strip and you've got Sorridere in the middle.
"If they can sit outside us and beat us, then I'm not as good as I thought and they're better than I thought."
Whataretheodds secured his place in the John Higgins Memorial by finishing a game second to Sorridere in the Bunbury heat.
Codename Marcus won the second heat of the series at Northam, while Vegas Strip held off a game Bellissimo Acquisto in the final heat at Narrogin.
Whataretheodds finished third to Coney Island Lou at Gloucester Park last week and Bell said he expected that run to bring him on for tomorrow night.
"I wasn't too phased he didn't look as sharp last week," he said.
"I deliberately had him a wee bit underdone, but I still thought he'd get the job done.
"He's doing very well at home, and I think that's why he didn't get the result last week.
"We haven't missed him this week."
Whataretheodds is a commanding $1.90 TAB touch favourite for the John Higgins Memorial, while Vegas Strip ($3.20) and Sorridere ($5.50) the other key chances.
The other feature event of the evening sees Never Ending installed a $2.05 favourite in the Vale Ron Davies Free-For-All (2130m).
Tomorrow night's event is set to be Never Ending's final start in Perth before he travels to Sydney for The Eureka.
Meanwhile, Bell said exciting pacers Atlantic Gem and Waverider were both on track to be back for upcoming three-year-old feature events.
