NATHAN Hurst will hope Saloon Passage can continue his strong start to a new preparation in Wednesday night’s Tablelands Builders Pace (1,730 metres) at the Bathurst Paceway.
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Saloon Passage goes into Wednesday night’s race on the back of a close runner-up finish to Amanda Turnbull’s former Group 1 contender Betabcool.
Prior to that he returned to the track with a bang, leading from start to finish in his first race in almost three months.
“I couldn’t be happier with how he’s going at the moment. He had a break, with him having a few issues, but he’s come back looking great,” Eglinton trainer-driver Hurst said.
“He had a win in his first start back and then he probably ran even better when he got that second place in the next race.
“In that win he got out to the front quickly … but in the next run he had to come from the rear of the field. They were two very different races for him.”
The Elsu x Rosesrredviletsrblue gelding took his career earnings past the $130,000 mark with the runner-up result.
Wednesday marks career start number 50 for the five-year-old, where he will look for an 18th victory.
Saloon Passage may have to do some extra work in the early stages of Wednesday night’s race after drawing wide in gate seven.
Hurst said Saloon Passage should be a strong contender if he shows his usual fast gate speed.
“He usually gets out fairly quick. It’s over the shorter trip and I think he can get out to the front. If not, he should be able to sit up close to the lead,” he said.
“They’re all pretty strong chances. The number one [Written In Red] has been racing really well lately but he'll have to take a little step up in grade for this one.”
Hurst looks set to take Saloon Passage back to Menangle next start, which will be his first run at the city track since January.
Wednesday night’s eight-race meeting gets underway from 4.33pm.
