SA Main Distance Chances All Dissapoint
While Rapidvite National Sprint Championship South Australian Heats were unlikely to provide the eventual winer, it was hoped that the Rapidvite National Distance Championship South Australian Heats would be able provide a serious contender for the National title.
Unfortunately the Rapidvite National Distance Championship South Australian Heats only drew 15 runners and proved to be a punters graveyard with Elegant Vintage, Saxon's Back and Le Grand Bale all failing dismally.
In the first Heat, veteran rivals Token Ned and Ling Wah were expected to throw down against talented young gun Elegant Vintage, who was tackling the 731 metre journey for the first time but had impressively put 3 wins back to back over the 600 and was expected to handle the trip easily.
In the end, all failed to flatter and it was left to Uncle Remus to assume control of the race at his debut over the longer journey. Uncle Remus prevailed by 4 lengths in 43.77 from Ling Wah, who couldn't catch the leader and 3rd placed KC's Majestic.
Elegant Vintage was a hopeless flop at her first staying attempt and was subsequently stood down by stewards for 10 days due to an “unspecified” injury.
In the second heat, Le Grand Bale looked to hold all the aces having won 4 of 9 starts at the 731 trip with a further 2 placings.
Saxon's Back who was first up since April, but had reportedly trialled well twice going into the series, was thought to be Le Grand Bale's main opposition.
But again both favourites failed to live up to punter's exepectations and the under rated Second Edition, who had previously had 3 starts at the distance for 2 wins, led all the way in 44.03. Thomas finished second at his first staying attempt, 1.25 lengths behind with outsider Stevie McLaren a further .5 length back.
The box draw for the Rapidvite National Distance Championship South Australian Final was conducted after the heats, and the two heat winners who will both look to lead, have “bookended” the field; giving them every chance to fight out the finish.
No.NameGradeFormBestLastTrainer
1Uncle Remus41521143.7743.77Raye Kelly
2Token Ned13423442.8844.54Paul Barry
3Thomas51515244.1144.11John Vivian
4Le Grand Bale11115443.3044.26Shaun Matcott
5KC's Majestic42224343.7744.20Shirley Veling
6Stevie McLaren54341344.1444.14Helen Foster
7Ling Wah24322243.4644.03Des Hockley
8Second Edition32461143.9644.03Con Haagmans
9Saxon's Back34345543.2344.31Troy Murray
10Window Shopper44155543.9544.79Wayne Ryan