Confident despite long odds

ALTHOUGH his runner is the rank outsider it hasn’t dented Luke O’Neill’s confidence.

O’Neill is set to contest the Gramel Trotters’ Cup with Truscott Hall, which is at $34 in betting markets.

Named in honour of the finest squaregaiter to come out of South Australia, the Cup is scheduled to be staged at Globe Derby tomorrow night.

Sponsored by Aldebaran Park, the feature offers a $2000 service voucher to leading trotting sire Skyvalley or Aldebaran Eagle on top of the prizemoney.

A recent second as a $22 shot, Truscott Hall has drawn to settle in a prominent position from barrier two.

“He’s drawn well,” O’Neill said. “I didn’t want one because never goes away well from one.

“The first 50 metres is the worry after that he is pretty bomb proof.

“He showed a bit of his old self last week and been working great since.

“I’m very happy with him and if he comes out well enough they will know he is there.”

While Champagne Prince heads wagering at $3 from his 20-metre mark, O’Neill rates Coolbreeze as the one to beat.

Prepared by Lane Johnson and to be driven by his son Corey, Coolbreeze is listed at $4.40.

A last start winner from 10 metres, Coolbreeze moves back to the 20-metre line.

“Coolbreeze is the one to beat I believe,” O’Neill said. “It is a pretty even field, but at his top Coolbreeze will take a lot of holding out.”