Golden Lode Set to Break Through at Gloucester Park
Speedy New Zealand-bred pacer Golden Lode has entered six group feature races without placing, but driver Deni Roberts is optimistic the gelding will achieve a breakthrough by winning the $200,000 Group 1 Retravision Golden Nugget over 2536m at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Race and Preparation Details
Trained by champions Greg and Skye Bond, Golden Lode will start from the coveted No. 1 barrier. Roberts commented on the race strategy:
“I’ll be trying to get out of the gate as quickly as I can, and if he leads, I’d pretty much say he will win.”
He added,
“His past couple of runs from unfavourable draws have been really good.”
Season Performance Overview
- Golden Lode has had only one win in eleven starts this four-year-old season.
- This victory was six starts ago, starting from the outside of the back line, overcoming wind resistance to beat Gully Gum and Rockandrollartist.
- He recorded a solid time of 1:54.9 over 2130m, with the last 400m segments clocked at 28.7 and 28.6 seconds.
Recent Race Performance
In his latest start at the Group 2 Four-Year-Old Classic over 2130m, Golden Lode started inside the back line and followed the leader, Im Lightning Banner. When the leader faded in the last lap, Golden Lode was squeezed back and blocked from clear running, finishing an unlucky fourth behind Franco Motu.
Summary
With a strong run history despite tough draws, Golden Lode is poised for a breakthrough victory in the upcoming Gloucester Park feature race.