SW pacer’s big Cup chance

Boyanup trainer-driver Justin Prentice has his eyes on the biggest prize of his career, behind Major Reality in tomorrow night’s 2017 G1 $450,000 TABtouch WA Pacing Cup (2936m) at Gloucester Park.

The five-year-old bay mare was accepted for the big race on Tuesday and has drawn barrier one.

Prentice said he was excited to be competing and believed he could win.

“She has always been a good mare, but she has taken the next step,” he said.

Prentice said a change in her workload during a six-month spell last year allowed Major Reality to find the form to win two of her last five races, along with two second places.

“We changed her program and she has thrived on it,” he said.

Prentice is determined to grab the horse’s 18th career win in her 30th start and believes she is a strong chance.

“There is no stand-out horse in the race,” he said.

“Last week was her (Major Reality) second time among the best.

Prentice doesn’t believe he has an advantage being the trainer as well as the driver tomorrow night.

“You get an advantage normally because you know the horse better, but in these races all the drivers have been driving the horses for most of their careers,” he said.

Prentice said he would not be nervous before the race, but was at his worst leading up to the event.

“I get more stirred up during the week trying to make sure everything is prepared and going right,” he said.

“Once I jump in the cart, all the nerves go away.”