Hot racing continued yesterday at both New South Wales at Goulburn, and in Victoria at Warragul. Goulburn hosted the final of the inaugural running of the Southern Stars final, a $50,000 to the winner event run over the 440 metre course, and it was the Jason Fletcher trained Aston Barsk who proved to be successful. Perfectly drawn in box eight, Aston Barak began well and then cut across the field early to set up a winning lead, before holding off a late surge from the Minnie Finn trained Gatlin, with favourite Paua Of Buddy running home for third after finding a stack of early trouble. The winners time was a very quick 24.38.
Last night at Warragul, four stunning heats of the Group 3 St Leger (460m) were run, resulting in a wonderful final field that will face the starter next final with the winner to receive $25,000. The fastest heat winner was the Anthony Azzopardi trained Deadly Class, who jumped superbly from his middle draw, leading all the way to record a stunning 25.57 in the opening heat. The well performed Plaintiff, trained by Jason Thompson, worked hard early from his wide draw, to find the lead and then hold off the fast finish of the runner up, Always A Thrill, in a time of 25.70. Heat three, and it was another winner for the Anthony Azzopardi kennel, when Salad Dodger railed underneath the early leader, Dundee Smokey, in the home straight to score narrowly from the unlucky Kelsey Bale, who stormed home late after finding trouble at the first bend. The time recorded was the slowest if the four heats, 25.85. The final heat was won in convincing style by the injury plagued Mr. Audacious, who despite working hard early proved far to good for his opposition, running a fast 25.66 in doing so. Mr. Audacious was resuming from a one month enforced break from racing, so should take great benefit from the run and a power of beating in next weeks final.
Racing tonight continues at Wentworth Park, Dubbo, Ipswich, The Gardens, The Meadows, Ballarat, and Cannington, with the highlight being the final of the Young Guns (520m) at Ipswich, a listed event. Thursday night produced a mixed bag with our selections, three nice winners, two close placings and two disappointing efforts. Let us see if we can improve on that effort tonight.
The Meadows Race 2 No 8 Belle Violin $6.50 at PlayUp – Very strong winner last start from an inside draw, who looks well suited tonight from this wide draw. Should get a cart over early from Fearless Rory (7), before proving too strong in the later stages of the event. Nice each way odds.
Wentworth Park Race 2 No 7 Lightin’ Ethics $2.40 at PlayUp – Is much better than her form reads on paper. Very talented but has been racing without any luck at all. Looks well drawn tonight and it would not surprise to see her find the early lead to enable her to lead all the way. Once in front she will be very hard to beat.
Wentworth Park Race 4 No 2 Super Estrella $1.90 at PlayUp – We think she is the best stayer in New South Wales, and even the country, on her night. She was outstanding last week, defeating almost this same field. Will again find the early lead, set up a mid race break on her opponents, before holding them all off in the run home. She is a star.
The Meadows Race 7 No 7 Play Nice $3.10 at PlayUp – Very consistent performer over all distances at both metropolitan tracks. Always puts herself in the race early. This looks a perfect race for her to record yet another victory. She should prove to good for her opposition in this event.
The Meadows Race 9 No 3 Red Reactor $2.60 at PlayUp – Let us down last week from his wide draw but we are happy to give him a further chance tonight, especially being drawn closer to the rails. Does begin well and does love to get to the inside. Extremely talented dog who can run very fast times when on the lure. This is an even race but we think he can get the job done.
The Meadows Race 11 No 3 Osprey Rose $3.60 at PlayUp – Very strong performer who races well this venue. Can be a touch miss or hit at box rise, but she has the talent and the strength to recover. This does look her race and we think she is the best bet of the night, and the banker for all your multi bets tonight.
