South West showdown looming

Six-year-old superstar Handsandwheels is in a prime position to claim tonight’s $50,000 City of Perth Worldwide Cup 3YO+ MS Pace (2130m) at Gloucester Park for trainer and reinsman Aiden De Campo.

The Capel champion has drawn barrier one and is expected to fight for supremacy with classy Kiwi Galactic Star.

However there is a very strong chance this race could boil down to a Capel v Busselton showdown, with Barry Howlett’s Talktomeurmattjesty holding solid claims.

Howlett’s eight-year-old has won or placed in four of his five starts since his rollicking trial win at Donaldson Park on November 16.

His latest victory came on Friday at pacing headquarters, with a 25m break during the middle stages.

Even when challenged late by Gotta Go Gabbana, the stalwart always appeared to have enough in the tank, although he will have to run a great race in order to pass his rivals.

It was a case of what might have been for the De Campo stable following the Tabtouch WA Pacing Cup (2936m) on January 17, with Handsandwheels running fourth.

Held up at the top of the straight, the field parted for him with 150m to go, and the six-year-old wasted no time showing off his speed.

With a favourable draw so critical for pacing success at Gloucester Park, insiders are confident he could add further success to his impressive CV tomorrow night.

Later in the evening, focus will shift to an absorbing battle between Justin Prentice stablemates Gardy’s Legacy and Manning, who are both solid fancies in the Active 8 AR Handicap 3YO MS Pace (2130m).

He might have done things the hard way last start, but Gardy’s Legacy showed his true courage in the closing stages to outrun Awaiting Instructions, which made it four consecutive wins either side of a spell.