Racing set to sizzle in Bunbury

Trainer Brent Larsson has predicted a significant 4kg drop in weight could see consistent mare Army Miss eclipse a tough field and return to the winner’s list in today’s $50,000 South West Summer Sizzle (1200m) at Bunbury.

Picture: David Harrison-trained stallion Sir Hallowell returns from a brief Victorian campaign to line-up in a strong $50,000 South West Summer Sizzle (1200m) field at Bunbury today.

Army Miss, the champion galloper at Bunbury Turf Club last season with four wins, a second and two thirds, has just one triumph in her last 12 starts.

But the five-year-old will carry a lighter 56kg today as she attempts to break a run of three consecutive seconds and claim line honours.

Larsson said the drop in weight came at a good time for his sprinter.

‘‘She’s always been a mare who takes a couple of runs to get into form, but she generally holds it for a fair while after that,’’ he said

‘‘The last few runs she’s had have all been very good.’’

Army Miss will jump from gate seven among a strong field with plenty of chances in today’s feature.

Others with claims for the post in the race include David Harrisontrained stallion Sir Hallowell who returns for his first start in WA after a brief Victorian campaign, as well as top six-year-old Bites The Dust and Neville Parnham’s recently acquired New Zealand galloper Inok.

Peter Giadresco-trained gelding Le Sacre and four-year-old mare Miss Dandy will both be gunning for their fourth-straight wins today.

‘‘We don’t often see fields of that quality outside the feature races of our carnival here,’’ Larsson said.

‘‘It’s quite an even field with plenty of chances.’’

Sir Hallowell caught the eye when second by less than a length to Inok at a trial earlier this month.

Harrison said the More Than Ready five-year-old would be aimed at the looming $80,000 Cyril Flower Stakes (1200m) on February 25 as well as March’s $120,000 Bunbury Stakes (1400m) and Pinjarra Classic (1300m).