By Michael Guerin
Patience rather than panic is the key to finally getting the best out of frustrating trotter Pantani.
The four-year-old heads to Alexandra Park tonight for Race 2, the Garrards Pesticides Northern Metro Trotters Heat (6.19pm) that he would almost certainly win if he raced up to his best form.
He did that for the first time in a year four starts ago and thrashed a similar field by 10-and-a-half lengths at The Park but he has galloped in all three starts since.
Trainer-driver David Butcher says Pantani will eventually have the manners to match hit motor so he can’t get too concerned.
“He used to be a bit hot (nervy) but he is getting better,” says Butcher.
“It will come and we are doing little things with him. We tried using plugs on him but they almost made him too laid back and then he galloped when you pulled them.
“So he will keep going around and getting more practice and I think this week’s race will suit him.”
Pantani (R2, No.6) faces only six rivals so Butcher is confident he can get him away safely and smoothly before deciding whether to make a mid-race move or sit in and drive him for speed.
With favourite Pretty In Pink drawn the ace on the front line Pantani wouldn’t want to let her get too far in front of him but he does have 2700m in which to make his move.
Butcher faces having to come from back in the field with his two other favoured drives tonight in Mako (R4, No.8) and Jolimont (R6, No.5), who is off a 20m handicap in the small main pace, the Vale Chris Garrard handicap Pace (8.22pm).
“He just needs to step away, which he should off a back mark in the small field,” he says.
“This race suits him because the best open class horses aren’t here but that is the same for a few of the others. But he should be hard to beat.”
Like Jolimont, Mako is trained by Arna Donnelly and was impressive winning fresh up and looks headed most of the way to open class.
But he meets some talented intermediate grade rivals in a 2200m Metro Pacing heat that could easily see the winner break 2:40.
“He is still on the way up and it is a good field for this grade so it might come down to luck in the running.
The meeting is one of the smallest Alexandra Park Friday night cards in years, with just seven races and an average field size of six starters but actually still has some interesting betting races because of the evenness of the fields.
