Primed to extend undefeated record

UNDEFEATED squaregaiter Verbici is predicted to have no trouble maintaining his perfect record this weekend.

Creating a huge buzz with his arrogant victory upon debut, Verbici won his next two outings in impressive fashion for co-trainers Chris Lang and Sonia Mahar.

Such in the class the son of Orlando Vici has shown, he boasts an average winning margin of 18.2 metres!

Stating the two-year-old is yet to be “fully extended”, Mahar has no doubt Verbici will continue to improve as he gains experience.

“He is a very nice type,” Mahar said. “Chris and I have a fair opinion of him.

“Everything he has done has been on raw ability and he is improving all the time.

“As good as he is going now, with another 12 months of maturity and experience, I believe we will see a special horse.”

Given a freshen-up following his Wagga success on May 30, Verbici has won two trials in the past 10 days in preparation for his assignment at Club Menangle on Saturday night.

Set to contest the New South Wales Trot Final, the two-year-old is a $1.40 TAB Fixed Odds favourite despite drawing barrier seven in the $50,000 feature.

“The short break did him the world of good and we’ve been very happy with his work and trials in the last couple of weeks,” Mahar said. “The draw is not ideal, but we’re confident he can overcome it.”

Citing fellow Victorian raider Kyvalley Diablo as the one to beat, Mahar is also wary of local runner Chief Kenny.

Triumphant at his debut in Bendigo on June 10, Kyvalley Diablo has since won two trials for trainer Chris Svanosio.

Kyvalley Diablo is the $2.70 TAB Fixed Odds second elect from gate six.

Drawn five, Chief Kenny is chasing an overdue win having been runner-up in five of his six starts. The son of On A Streak is on the third line of betting at $8.

“Kyvalley Diablo has caught the eye at the trials and in his race,” Mahar said. “He certainly shapes as the one to beat.

“Chief Kenny has been very consistent and will no doubt make his presence felt again.”