Close not lacking horsepower

By Jonny Turner

Driver Robbie Close has the firepower to make a big impact in the feature races at Saturday’s Northern Southland meeting.

Close heads south to combine with the Regan Todd trained Treacherous Gall in the Group 3 Fillies Classic and her stablemate Street Hawk in Heat 3 of the Southern Supremacy Stakes Series.

Treacherous Gall impressed in her debut win at Winton last week.

As the filly was joined on the home turn it may not have been obvious to punters just how easily Close thought she won.

“She actually won really easy last week, I didn’t have to ask her for much.”

“We didn’t want a hard run first up with this race the next week.”

“The way she did it and the way she felt, she was pretty good.”

Treacherous Gall led at Winton last week but she may not be able to find the front from barrier 5 this week.

Though it may not matter.

“She is better following them, but if we have to use her early we can.”

“But she is definitely better following because she doesn’t concentrate as well in front at the moment.”

“The way she won the other day and the way Regan has been happy with her work, she should have improved a lot with that last run, too.”

Street Hawk is a key player in Saturday’s Southern Supremacy Stakes heat.

He takes on a hot line up, but the pacer showed he was up to this type of field with his third behind Sand Wave at Winton last week.

Coming up with barrier 1 looks crucial for the Todd trained three-year-old.

“He has got a lot of speed and he follows speed really well.”

“He can be funny, if he hits the front too soon he will knock off.”

“Hopefully from the draw (1) he can come with one run and show his speed.”

Close has two more drives on the Ascot Park card including Port Pegasus in race 10.

“He trotted really nicely last week at Winton but he was just too far off them.”

“If he is a bit closer this week then he will be a chance.”

Close also drives outside hope Sir Lancelot in race 4.