2014 Listed Superstayers Preview
A hand-picked, four dog shoot-out will be the highlight of racing at Albion Park On Thursday night when the listed Superstayers race takes place.
The invite only event is worth $22,500 to-the-winner and is run over the staying trip of 710 metres.
The race was first held in 2007 and the honour roll includes some top line performers such as Dashing Corsair, He Knows Uno and Mantra Lad. The 2013 event was taken out by Bell Haven.
In 2014, two Victorians, one Queenslander and a New Zealander (now based in Victoria) will contest the race.
There is also a distinctly female favour to the event with three of the four runners being bitches. Coincidentally all three are trained by female trainers in Christina Harman (Wag Tail), Jenny Hunt (Xylia Allen) and Angela Langton (Infinite Wish). James Shaw bucks the trend in every way, being the New Zealand raider with the only dog in the race.
Here is a look at the four runners for this year's race;
1 – Wag Tail ($11.00) – Christina Harman – The local hope who is an Albion Park specialist. She has won 15 career races and took out the recent Winter Chase at this track. The daughter of Velocette and Bacardi Cruiser (Just The Best – Lou's Cruise) has won seven from 10 at this journey but is yet to really crack it against the top line interstate dogs. She may have to improve upon her best of 41.77 to win this.
3 – Know Class ($4.80) – James Shaw – The New Zealander who has made two Group One finals in his short time in Australia. The son of Willy What and Blue Fern (Shining Kev – Casual Wave) is a 99 start veteran (seven of which have been in Australia) who racks up triple figures in this race. He ran a game second to Xylia Allen in last week's Albion Park Gold Cup and could appreciate the smaller field.
5 – Xylia Allen ($1.35) – Jenny Hunt – A four-time Group One winner who has broken eight track records. The daughter of Turanza Bale and Tayah Bale (Droopys Vieri – Francesca Bale) won her heat and the final of the Group One Gold Cup at this track over the past fortnight. She should lead this field and will take a power of catching. If she is at her best, Dashing Corsair's track record may be under threat.
7 – Infinite Wish ($6.00) – Angela Langton – A very adaptable staying bitch who has made Group finals in four different states in the last year. She was doing her best work late when third to Xylia Allen in last week's Gold Cup. The daughter of Premier Fantasy and Jean Jeannie (Surf Lorian – Flickering Lady) is very consistent and could seize any opportunity she is afforded.
Selections – 5-7-3-1