It’s Wartime in Race Nine

SATURDAY'S overnight allowance sprint is ripe for a run-on horse to capitalise on what could be a collapsing pace with HARRY'S TRAIN and PEKING CRUZ set to go at each other, both suspect in a speed duel beyond five furlongs.

PEKING CRUZ returned off a five-month lay-up two Saturdays ago, hopelessly chasing PATRIARCH to the furlong pole, going five round, relegated to fourth at the wire, 11 lengths behind the winner in a six-horse field.

That was a great pipe opener for PEKING CRUZ, who is now down in class, back among overnight allowance company, where he last won on September 25, beating LOTTERY TICKET and REIGNING KING at five furlong straight.

However, United States-bred HARRY'S TRAIN, running at 110lb with Dane Dawkins aboard, could prove bothersome for PEKING CRUZ, who is nine pounds heavier, even with Richard Azan calling in claiming apprentice Anthony Allen.

Has improved

PEKING CRUZ should be sharper, second run off the lay-up, but HARRY'S TRAIN has improved with lasix administered for her last two runs and cheekpieces fitted by trainer Ian Parsard. She might not be the most resolute of runners but HARRY'S TRAIN is light and going up against PEKING CRUZ, who didn't voluntarily stay home for five months, suggesting he is far from being bulletproof in a speed duel, despite his back class.

An expected speed duel could also involve SERGEANT RECKLESS, who has run-on stablemates, DRUMMER BOY and UNCLE FRANK, in the event with Omar Walker and Dane Nelson aboard, jockeys with nine riding titles between them.

If the pace collapses, which could be the scenario, given that PEKING CRUZ might be suspect and HARRY'S TRAIN not liking to be eyeballed, the run-on sprinter net has to be cast wider, pulling in Wayne Parchment's WARTIME, who was catching PRINCE CHARLES with very stride, going six and a half furlongs, on February 26.

WARTIME's problem is that he is not the quickest of horses from the gate and is often forced to enter the lane wide after getting caught behind runners. However, he is among the lighter run-on horses and certainly the most race-fit, needing only a decent break with apprentice Raddesh Roman to keep the leaders in his cross hairs.

It will be make or break for WARTIME at the gate. If he turns for home within striking distance of the leaders, they're dead to him.