Golden Lode Set to Break Through at Gloucester Park
Speedy New Zealand-bred pacer Golden Lode has competed in six group feature races without earning a placing, but his driver Deni Roberts remains confident that a breakthrough victory is near. The talented gelding is set to contest the $200,000 Group 1 Retravision Golden Nugget over 2536m at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Prime Barrier Draw Boosts Chances
Trained by Greg and Skye Bond, Golden Lode will start from the coveted No. 1 barrier. This gives him a strong tactical advantage for the race. Roberts shared her approach to the start:
“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. His past couple of runs from unfavourable draws have been really good.”
Season Form and Performance
Golden Lode’s only win this season came six starts ago when he started from the rear of the field, worked hard in the breeze, and still managed to prevail over Gully Gum and Rockandrollartist. He clocked a smart mile rate of 1.54.9 for the 2130m distance, finishing strongly with closing quarters of 28.7 and 28.6 seconds.
In his latest outing, the gelding ran in the Group 2 Four-Year-Old Classic over 2130m, starting from the inside of the back line. After trailing the pacemaker Im Lightning Banner, he was shuffled back when the leader faded late, eventually being boxed in and finishing an unlucky fourth behind Franco Motu.
Author’s Summary
Golden Lode, in peak form and ideally drawn, appears ready to convert his consistency into a long-awaited Group 1 victory at Gloucester Park.