Mighty Ronaldo appears challenger to Pinny Tiger

Justin Prentice’s promising colt Mighty Ronaldo will look to topple Pinny Tiger in tomorrow night’s $100,000 2YO Pearl Classic Final (2130m) at Gloucester Park. Having won or placed in four of his first six starts, the colt has solid claims and reinsman Gary Hall Jun will feel confident about his speed from gate 10. You can be almost certain Mighty Ronaldo will figure towards the business end of the field, as in every race outside of his victories, the furthest he has finished off the pace is 9.9m. Pinny Tiger, the clear-cut favourite, has three second placings from his opening four starts and given his good draw, deserves the top billing. However, if Prentice’s star is unable to blunt his dominance, there could be a few other South West fancies who could topple him. Aiden De Campo, who has tasted plenty of success driving home stable winners recently, will pilot his two-year-old The Good Life, who broke through for his maiden victory at Donaldson Park on March 3 by a neck — ironically over Mighty Ronaldo. Greenbushes-based trainer Ray Jones will also be heading up to pacing headquarters with intent on victory, with his colt Lavra Joe, having won three of his past five starts and has drawn gate three. The only question about the two-year-old could be fatigue, as he has completed 12 starts since February. Tomorrow night will also be a big test for Errol Ashcroft’s four-year-old Henwood Bay, who will put it all on the line in the Tabtouch Pace (2536m). The gelding has proven he can dominate at regional level, having won multiple country cups this season and also recorded a career-high 1.56.3 mile rate during Friday night’s win at Donaldson Park. However throughout his 61-start career, Gloucester Park has been a unlucky venue, with his best effort a second to Artillery Major on March 19.