Racing: Neal hoping breaks go his way

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 09: Craig Williams riding Precedence (L) defeats Ryan Maloney riding Sertorius in Race 8 the Queen Elizabeth Stakes during Stakes Day at Flemington Racecourse on Novem

Don't let Sunshield's early gallop last Friday put you off backing him at Alexandra Park tonight.

Co-trainer Andrew Neal is adamant his trotter can turn the tables on Leanne's Boy in the feature there.

Sunshield and Leanne's Boy have both suggested they are headed for open class with commanding winter performances and dominated the market in a similar field last Friday.

Sunshield blew his chance with an early gallop that saw him settle 10 lengths behind Leanne's Boy, who swept to victory in the hands of Tony Herlihy.

Sunshield boomed home late into third, though, and gets a 10m advantage in the handicaps tonight, giving him the opportunity to stay in front of Leanne's Boy, which could be crucial.

Neal says the 6-year-old's manners should be improved tonight.

"He was fresh up last week and Lyn [Neal, driver] said after the race he might have just tried to go too fast for his own good early.

"But we are not too worried about that because his overall manners from stands have been good and he should be more relaxed tonight being second up.

"So on what he lost last week and where he finished I think he can beat Leanne's Boy on his best behaviour."

The pair also meet dual Harness Jewels winner Charlemagne, who looks well placed off a 35m handicap but has struggled to win, as his rivals consistently trot 3:30 for 2700m, meaning he is chasing all the way in his races.

The Neals have a huge chance of success with another trotter in tonight's last leg of Pick6, with Lucky Fortune meeting the same opposition he thrashed last Friday.

He sat last of the pack and thrashed his rivals with sheer speed last week but stays in the same grade because that was a penalty-free race so only needs to trot all the way to repeat the dose.

"He is a really nice horse in this grade and I don't think many maiden trotters have his speed."

Lucky Fortune does meet the talented converted pacer Scarrymcleary, who galloped last Friday and lost a huge amount of ground before staging a big recovery, suggesting he won't be a maiden in his new gait for long.

Tonight's meeting is the first of a TAB month-long harness blitz on Quaddies, with $40,000 guaranteed for both the early Quaddie on races two to five and the later Quaddie on races seven to 10.

That sees the Pick6 reduced to a guaranteed $25,000, which makes it far less attractive than usual so punters are better concentrating on the Quaddie.