Welcome to another nights racing at The Meadows where we have the finals of the Group 1 Maturity Classic over the 525 meters and the Group 3 Destini Fireball Stayers over the 725 meters.
It’s going to be an action packed night with plenty of entertainment trackside but more importantly, let’s find some winners.
Race 4
Our first tip comes up in RACE 4 on the card which is a grade 5 heat over the 525m trip and we are selecting ZIPPING HAWK on top. This powerful chaser has a very good record from inside draws and I expect him to settle in the top 3 going through the first turn, letting rip down the back and being too strong to kick our night off with a bang. The main danger I feel is DEADLINE TO MEET (4) who has been running very good times at Ballarat and Shepparton but he seems to always find one or two dogs just too good for him on the night, which I’m hoping is the case tonight as well. He is a strong chaser but from the poor draw, I’m expecting our boy to be off and gone.
WIN BET – ZIPPING HAWK
Race 5
In the next race on the night (RACE 5) I’m selecting STRIKER LIGHT (8) from the Bravo kennel on top. I expect her to cross from the wide alley and be too classy. She is back out to her suited distance I believe and with VICTOR DORA (7) next to her who isn’t always the best beginner, I expect STRIKER LIGHT to be able to zoom down the outside, set up a nice break and be too good.KILTY EXPRESS (1) won the Group 1 Maturity Final this time last year and he was back to his best last week at the track winning in a nice 30.13. He is drawn well in box 1 if he can begin and he will need to with LUCKY TETRIS (2) next to him a very reliable beginner. If our girl happens to blow the start then look out for these two chasers to be fighting it out.
WIN BET – STRIKER LIGHT
Race 6 – Final Group 3 Destini Fireball Stayers
The final of the Group 3 Destini Fireball Stayers is RACE 6 of the night. The box draw has really thrown this race open and I have a little feeling an upset could occur. Obviously the best dog in the field is the superstar BURN ONE DOWN (5) and if he has a clear run he will be winning and winning by a fair margin. I am just a little concerned with his box draw especially with BILLY’S BAKE next to him in box 6. Billy likes to cut hard to the rails and I just have this feeling if BOD doesn’t get an early break on him coming to the first turn they could cost each other the race. The only positive about BOD starting in box 5 is that EBBY RIPPER is drawn in box 4 and she does lack early pace so should give BOD some room to move early. Burn One Down is one of my favourite chasers to watch and I do hope he wins but I am also going to have an each way bet on DUNDEE CALYPSO (1) who I think will lead from the inside draw and if she can get pinch a break and have some luck she will be very hard to hold out. She has never won over this trip at the track but what a perfect night to do it. If there is some trouble up in the early stages of the race then watch for EBBY RIPPER (4) and MICK’S ANGEL (8) to be rattling home late.
WIN BET – BURN ONE DOWN
EACH WAY BET – DUNDEE CALYPSO
Race 8 – Final Group 1 Maturity Classic
The final of the Group 1 Maturity Classic is set to be an absolute cracker. Its going to be a real dash to the first turn with so much early pace everywhere.
LADY CHARLOTTE (1) has come up with the alley draw here after running 2nd in the semi final from the same draw. Not a lightning beginner but if she can get into a good position early and follow OPAL NERA then she could pinch this.
OPAL NERA (2) sent us home winners last week winning the final semi final in a nice 30.21 from box 4. Drawn closer to the rail tonight will assist him to be able to find the front early but my concern is that when he gets down the back he does like to move 4-5 off the rail which could make way for some of the stronger types to rail up and get the win. With DYNA JERRY (3) drawn next to him who went a flying 4.99 to the first split OPAL NERA is going to have to bring his best box manners to get out in front.
DYNA JERRY (3) got a bit lucky in his heat win and the inside draw assisted him, if he is to win tonight he is going to have to hope for some carnage behind him early to steal a race winning break.
SHADALE (4) has hit the line sensationally in his heat and semi final appearances but from the middle box and so much speed drawn on his outside I am concerned he will get too far back early to be able to take home the winners cheque.
ASTON DINNIGAN (5) was super again last week running a brilliant 2nd to FAST TIMES. She is our only runner remaining from our all in bets before the heats and at $26 we will be hoping she can burn them off early and set up a race winning break. I will be cheering her home!
MEPUNGA BLAZER (6) was absolutely sensational running one of the quickest times of the year at the Broadmeadows track last week in his heat win and if he is to repeat the same performance he will be far to good. My only concern is the box draw with ASTON DINNIGAN being a faultless beginner on his inside and Ricxta Box a strong ralier on his outside.
RIXTA ROX (7) he is going to need to jump well and settle in the top 4 early and if he does I think he will be very very difficult to beat.
FAST TIMES (8) SCRATCHED hasn’t set the track alight with his breathtaking times like he has done in QLD but he has done everything he’s needed to win his heat and semi final. I actually believe he is very well drawn out in box 8 as he does take a stride or two to balance up and accelerate. He will need to jump cleanly though as he wouldn’t want to let any of his opponents set up to much of an early break. I think he is the one to beat and at $3.5 I think he is a good bet.
PARADISO LASS (9) will now jump from box 8 and even with her good record from the outside draws she will find this very difficult to cross this field. She is very strong so if she does happen to find herself in a good early position she is in with a sneaky place chance.
WIN BET – FAST TIMES (SCRATCHED) NOW SELECTING OPAL NERA TO WIN
But will be hoping ASTON DINNIGAN can do it for us at $26!
Good luck and Happy Punting!