Star triallist makes race day debut at Ascot Park

By Jonny Turner

Outback Man just needs to produce a repeat performance of his debut at Ascot Park on Saturday.

The Tony Stratford trained pacer was an outstanding qualifier on the same track earlier this month.

Though he didn’t smash the clock, the three-year-old looked well above average when powering to a 10-length trial win, ahead of his first start in race 3.

“He has always shown a little bit, we have had him from day dot and we’ve always liked him,” Stratford said.

“He is really starting to click onto it now and get on the bit and he wants to be there.”

“Every time he has a run he gets better, he is a nice horse.”

Outback Man is currently red hot at $1.35 to win his race day debut a winning one. 

Stratford starts another strong winning chance at Ascot Park on Saturday in Jovial Jay.

The pacer drops in class in race 8, following a strong fourth placing at last weekend’s Diamonds Day meeting.

“He is just a lovely little horse, he is a kind bugger, he wants to be there and he is with you.”

“He tries, he is not the flashest looking thing, but he tries hard.”

“I thought he would win last week but he got back on the markers and couldn’t get off.”

“When he did get off he was a mile off them, but he hit the line good, as he does.”

“I would say he won’t be unlucky on Saturday.”

Tara Victory was third at last weekend’s Diamonds Day meeting.

The filly will strip fitter for that run when stepping out in race 3 on Saturday.

“She went good, I did expect her to go good, her work has been good.”

“Her couple of trials leading in were good too.”

“She will definitely improve out of that run and she is definitely a winning chance.”

Stratford also lines up Joedium who will need to improve on his recent efforts in race 6.