Golden Lode Is Set To Break The Ice
By Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
The fast New Zealand-bred pacer Golden Lode has competed in six major group events without placing. However, his driver Deni Roberts believes the gelding is ready for a breakthrough victory in the upcoming $200,000 Group 1 Retravision Golden Nugget over 2536 meters at Gloucester Park this Friday night.
Trained by the renowned partnership of Greg and Skye Bond, Golden Lode will start from the valuable No. 1 barrier. Roberts expressed confidence in their chances.
“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.”
This season, Golden Lode has secured only one victory from eleven starts as a four-year-old. That win came six outings ago, starting from the outside of the back line and working hard in the breeze before defeating Gully Gum and Rockandrollartist. He clocked a sharp 1:54.9 over 2130 meters, finishing with final quarters of 28.7 and 28.6 seconds.
In his latest performance, the gelding contested the Group 2 Four-Year-Old Classic over 2130 meters last Friday week. From the inside of the back line, he trailed the pacemaker Im Lightning Banner but lost ground when the leader tired in the final lap. He was then blocked for a clear run and finished a luckless fourth behind Franco Motu.
Author’s Summary
Deni Roberts backs Golden Lode to finally claim a major win at Gloucester Park after a string of strong performances from difficult draws.