Chance for second win in 28 months!

RECENTLY breaking a long drought from the winners’ circle, Ima Workingclassman has a solid opportunity to register another success this weekend.

Scoring at Globe Derby on March 20, Ima Workingclassman notched his first triumph since December 2020.

Set to return to headquarters tomorrow night, the Naomi Shelbourn-trained gelding has drawn to figure prominently from the pole.

Pleased with the six-year-old’s efforts this preparation, Shelbourn is hopeful her “problem child” can emerge victorious.

“He is finally starting to put it together as a six-year-old,” Shelbourn said. “He’s had a lot of health issues and this is the first consistent racing he has ever done because he has had so many issues.

“When he was two he got a really bad virus from which he just never fully recovered. His bloods have never been fully right, add the fact he doesn’t have a good conformation and he has been a problem child.

“I’m very happy he has been better this time and from the draw he gets his chance.

“There are quite a few in the field which can win and it will depend on how it pans out… I’ve just got to hope it goes my way.”

Along with a bit of maturity, Shelbourne credits driver David Smith for Ima Workingclassman’s improvement.

“I retired him because of his issues and the fact he’s a knee smasher,” Shelbourn said. “He didn’t just knock his knees, he smashed them.

“Then Michael Smith said ‘get my Dad to have a look’, so David has been doing his front feet since, and he still hits his knee, but he has improved out of sight.

“Thanks to Micheal for getting his Dad to do it as David doesn’t even shoe his own anymore, so I’ve been lucky there.”