Phenomenal Sets Standard In Warrnambool Classic Heats
Star chaser Phenomenal ran the fastest of fifteen 2014 Warrnambool Classic Heats at Wannon Park during the week.
Competing in Heat four, Phenomenal lead throughout to set new track record figures of 24.83 seconds for the 450 metres, and without doubt looks the one to beat in the series.
The first ten heats were conducted on Tuesday night, where heat one was taken out by the Darren Brown trained Magic Diva, who led from go to whoa, running a solid 25.40 seconds. The well performed daughter of Elite State has a terrific record having won 20 from 37 outings and looks set to be a major player in the series.
Darren Brown made it a quick fire double when he took out heat two with Silver Chief Finalist Ride The Rails. The explosive chaser semaphored a gallop of 25.30 in his heat and looks set to continue his run of excellent recent form.
Heat three was taken out by Ol Mate Pickers for Chris Johannsen in 25.88 while Elite Diva made it a treble for Darren Brown when she saluted in heat five in 25.67.
Heat six produced a brilliant win by up and coming sprinter Full Of Grace, who is prepared by Peter Craig for the Amstel Syndicate. The daughter of El Grand Senor made it win number five from just ten starts when she led throughout in a slippery 25.07.
Brooke Ennis took out heat number seven with her promising chaser Little Regus. Having now won nine from 25, including his last three on end, the son of Solve The Puzzle is racing in super form and a strong Semi Final appearance is expected.
The Ennis camp bought up a double in Heat eight, when Dream It won impressively in a fast 25.01, leading from start to finish. Dream It has already demonstrated the talent to mix it in elite company, so his progress should be followed closely as the series continues.
Heat nine provided the upset of the night when long priced Sir Hugo upstaged his more fancied rivals to score in a solid 25.36. The win of Sir Hugo bought up a double for Chris Johannsen and really came out of the blue, with the son of Premier Fantasy only having won a Tier 3 Maiden from his prior 15 starts.
Another lightly raced product won the final heat on night one, when the Robin Moore trained Shine took out heat ten. The daughter of Mogambo and Tifi is perhaps better known for her middle distance performances; however she led throughout to score easily in 25.38 to bring up win number five from 14 starts.
On Wednesday night, a further five heats were held with the opening heat going to the Ray Henness trained Carbon Neutral. The beautifully bred son of Collision and Cosmic Goddess bought up his maiden victory in Heat eleven, returning a handy run of 25.47. Only having faced the starter on two prior occasions, Carbon Neutral is raced Brent Sullivan and looks to have a promising career ahead of him.
Heat twelve saw the Tina Woman trained Trail Blazing greet the judge in a fast 25.14, while heat thirteen went to the Jeff Britton prepared Top Innings. Top Innings is raced by former Australian Cricket captain Ricky Ponting and his 25.37 victory took his overall record to seven wins from just 19 starts.
Heat fourteen was depleted with scratchings, however the four remaining runners put on a spirited contest. When the judge called a halt, it was the Chris Stanton trained Southwood Lexie who prevailed over the short favourite Black Foo for Carl Haas in 25.40.
Heat fifteen, the final heat, saw only three runners compete, with star performer Kiss Me Ketut taking the prize in 25.20 for owner and trainer David Burnett. Having already tasted Group 1 success, Kiss Me Ketut is perhaps among the highest credentialed chasers for the series and this win saw his stake earnings exceed $204,000, bringing up win 20 from 49 starts.
All first and second placegetters, plus the two fastest thirds will now compete in Semi Finals next Wednesday April 23, with the $75,000 to the winner final to be run on Warrnambool Cup night, April 30.
Carbon Neutral has been killed now, and greyhound racing still sucks.
Carbon Neutral has been killed now, and greyhound racing still sucks.