Racing: Time for Bob's Blue Boy to show true grit

Delft should be suited by the Ballarat track tonight. Picture / Kenny Rodger

Playing the iron horse is no longer one of the options for Bob's Blue Boy - it is now his only option.

The Canterbury pacer makes his Australian debut in the A$125,000 Ballarat Cup tonight and is racing for far more than just the winning stake.

Because unless Bob's Blue Boy can finally live up to his billing as one of the hard men of open class pacing he is in for a hellish three months.

Since a promising Interdominion campaign last season Bob's Blue Boy has been viewed as an outstanding stayer who would be perfectly suited by the rigours of open class.

The only problem is the hype has been far bigger than the return.

An overly conservative drive from Craig Thornley resulted in his being outsprinted in the New Zealand Cup and in the Auckland Cup he was more of a nuisance after a luckless start than a genuine threat.

That has seen him lose valuable respect among drivers, something he could regain with a display of genuine stamina tonight.

And Thornley says he needs to get tough tonight for another reason.

"We definitely need to get some respect over there but we also have to go a big race to guarantee our spot in the Hunter Cup [February 12].

"If he can work and stick on tonight then we will get respect for that race and the Interdominions and they are both worth an awful lot of money.

"So it is time for him to stand up and I have to drive him accordingly."

Tonight's race may prove the perfect vehicle for that as Bob's Blue Boy has drawn the second line on a track that should suit him better than most in Australia.

With his key Australian rivals tonight, Slipnslide, Robin Hood and Sting Lika Bee all having drawn awkwardly he will get a chance to work forward and see whether he can outstay them.

"I think he can go close to winning. I spoke to Steve [Roulston, trainer] this week and he said he is very happy with him."

Thornley says while the tighter tracks in Australia may not be ideal for Bob's Blue Boy, although Ballarat is the best of them, he thinks the racing style will suit.

"They tend to go hard over there so that will suit while I think the really hot weather will trim him up a bit and might make him a big leaner, and hopefully quicker."

While Bob's Blue Boy may have to play the rugged card to be a factor tonight, fellow Kiwi pacer Howard Bromac looks perfectly placed to continue on his winning way.

The Auckland Cup winner has drawn barrier four and with his improved gate speed should be able to stay handy.

That gives his trainer-driver Kirk Larsen options many of his rivals lack and he looks the best each-way bet in the race.

Slipnslide is the best of the Australians but he has not raced since an unlucky fourth in the Victoria Cup on December 17.

He has the gate speed to go forward at the start but there are still doubts over his stamina at the elite level so that may force a change of thinking.

He will need luck but if he gets it he is the one to worry the Kiwis.

Victorian pacer Robin Hood is being kept safe in the market by bookies after drawing the ace but that may not be ideal, with rival trainer Andy Gath declaring About To Rock will cross Robin Hood at the start.

That would not suit the latter as he is best known as a stayer rather than a passing lane horse and he did disappoint in a recent trial.

Sting Lika Bee has been the big improver in the Australian open class ranks over the summer and could benefit from a hard run race, especially as he has recent racing on his side.

His Shepparton Cup win was outstanding and it would not surprise to see him repeat.


Ballarat tonight

* Bob's Blue Boy needs to show some toughness on his Australian debut.
* The pacer's biggest threat comes from Auckland Cup winner Howard Bromac.
* Delft leads the Kiwi trotting assault in the Interdominion heats.
* The meeting also hosts heats of the Victoria Derby.