Im The Best NZ looks to be the favourite going into Friday nights feature at Busselton, the $14,697 Busselton Cup for Busselton based trainer Michael Callegari and Collie King, Trent Wheeler.
Set over the 2680m standing start trip around the tight circuit, Im The Best starts from three wide off the 10m handicap, but with his brilliant gate speed, Wheeler is still confident the pair can get the job done.
"It looks to be a good race on paper with some of his main dangers off the front, but he has winning form and is a quick beginner, so we are a real winning chance. "Trent Wheeler said.
Trainer Michael Callegari goes into the race quietly confident he has the best horse in the race but is weary of the two Matthew Scott runners who have drawn in front of the 10-year-old on the frontline handicap.
"The Matthew Scott pair will be hard to beat with the good barrier draws, we will need a bit of luck in the first couple of hundred of metres to get a clean way through from the 10m handicap." Callegari said.
On paper, Mikipelo for trainer Matt Scott looks to be the main danger in the race with Corey Peterson on board this week with Friday offering a dual meeting in WA.
Scott goes into the race with two chances, with Rising Spirit drawing barrier one on the front line, driven by Shane Young, and Mikipelo drawn alongside him in barrier two.
"I couldn't be happier with him (Mikipelo),
"He's worked super, PB at the track on Satursay morning, he's been set for this since the Collie Cup,
"If he leads, I'm going to tell Corey to run every quarter even and make it last man standing." Matt Scott said.
Im The Best was nearing retirement before the current Busselton season, but with Callegari working closely with the gelding for Barry Howlett, he took the plunge and asked if he could try the 10-year-old one last time.
"I used to drive him a lot in trackwork and quite liked him,
"Barry was having a few little niggles with him and decided to retire him,
"I was looking for something to race for the Busso (Busselton) season and I asked if I could have a go with him and he kindly leased him to me."
Im The Best has now had five starts for the new stable, and although unplaced at his first attempt at Bunbury, he has made it four from four at Busselton.
