Gear change for Royal Grace at Addington tonight

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk

Leeston trainer Michael Palermo is hoping a gear change may just do the trick for his trotter Royal Grace at Addington tonight.

The four-year-old mare (Royal Aspirations - Commander Del) will have her third career start in Race 2, the Concrete Brothers Trot (5.25pm), after finishing fourth on debut and then racing an eye-catching second last start.

Both times she has been very slow away, in her last start she was a distinct last with a lap to go.

"She's a funny horse," says Palermo, "but the 'blinds' go on tonight and we are hoping that might do the trick."

"Her work has been good and hopefully she won't settle too far off them and can sit back and get a good cart into the race."

He's wary that another tardy beginning wouldn't make things easy over the 2000m.

"If it had been two-six (2600m) I probably have been more confident."

Palermo got Royal Grace off the Fletchers who bred her.

"When I got her I thought what have we got here? but we pressed on and she came to it."

Royal Grace qualified at Rangiora in June behind Tactical Bid, a race rival tonight.

Palermo knows Tactical Bid well as he is trained by Regan Todd, who he works for in the mornings before tending to his own team.

"Regan's one goes good and Bob's one (Aroha) has been trialing up well so we'll see."

Sixth last start, Tactical Bid is currently a $2.70 favourite while the Bob Butt-trained Aroha has had a bit of support and is into $6.

Tonight Royal Grace ($5.50) will be driven by Craig Ferguson.

Depending on how she goes she may have a little spell or press on to Ashburton on Sunday, July 11.