It’s A Locke For Holly At Pinjarra

Posted on August 3, 2016 | Posted by Julio Santarelli

Trainer Holly Locke is confident her gelding Tommi Toocan can emerge triumphant in the Keith Jeffreys Handicap (1600m) at Pinjarra on Thursday.

The son of Black Tom is three runs into his winter campaign and will have healthy admirers after a luckless last-start fourth at Northam a week back.

The five-year-old couldn’t get a clear run in the straight, held up from on straightening until passing the 100m, when fourth to Dance Master.

Locke predicts a bright future for Tommi Toocan and is highly optimistic he can improve on his one win and seven placings from 20 starts.

“This horse is quite exciting and was really unlucky at Northam,” Locke told TABradio.

“He got held up in traffic and I think he is a really really good chance tomorrow (Thursday).

“And this horse will improve the further he goes because he is looking for 2000m already.

“He is a big long horse who can’t really get caught up in traffic.

“He is not nimble enough to shoulder out on them.

“With Peter Hall aboard I think we should be somewhere in the mix.

“We have got the man on and the barrier should suit him more than the other day.

“I really think he can do something this horse.”

Karnup co-trainer Jason Miller said punters should ignore the last-start run of Mossman four-year-old mare, Merrijig, at Belmont two weeks ago.

Merrijig, racing first-up since February, trailed the field behind Musgaze, beaten five lengths, but Miller said the run was better than what it appeared.

“Even though she ran last it wasn’t a bad run,” Miller said.

“It’s not often you can say that about a horse who runs last, but she actually got to the line really well.

“I was happy with it and as she gets over more ground she will improve.”

Merrijig has drawn the widest gate in the field of 16. Leading apprentice, Clint Johnston-Porter, picks up the ride.