2015 QLD Sprint and Distance Championships best odds & free tips
ALBION Park will host the finals of both the Queensland Sprint and Distance Championships on Thursday night, with some of the best chasers from the Sunshine State set to do battle for a spot in the respective National finals to be held at Wentworth Park on August 22.
Leading conditioner Tony Brett holds a strong hand in the sprint decider, qualifying veterans Flash Reality and Keybow, which are $3.80 and $1.70 with Bet365 respectively.
Keybow, owned in NSW by Kel Lean, has been one of the country's top sprinters throughout his career, winning three Group races and over half a million dollars in prize money. He will jump from box three in the 520-metre feature, a draw from which he has won three races.
Bill Elson has enjoyed a terrific run with the progeny of his super broodbitch Regal Silver over the last couple of years and he will have a shot in each feature event on Thursday.
In the sprint he has Cyndie's Special, a daughter of Premier Fantasy and Regal Silver set to jump from the cherry. The black bitch is a winner of her last two starts including a 30.11 heat effort last week and will just need a touch of luck to figure in the finish.
In the staying Championship, Elson puts the polish on Cyndie's Magic, a Magic Sprite x Regal Silver bitch, which has been racing without luck in recent starts but looks a genuine threat of qualifying for the National decider.
The QLD Distance and Sprint Championships are races four and eight respectively on Thursday night at Albion Park.
Lets check out the form and odds for each runner, with comments and tips from our resident form expert, Brad Bugeja.
QLD Distance Championship final – 710 metres
Box One – Flaunt It
Black Bitch – 29.0kg – August 2012
Fear Zafonic x Nicely Done
Prize money: $17,688
Trainer: Christina Harman
Career: 16: 5-3-2
T/D: 1: 1-0-0
T/D Best: 42.32
“Most inexperienced chaser in the Final but she did make an impressive staying debut here last week and she is expected to lead for a long way again. Off the back straight she appeared to be coasting but when they rounded for home she really got tired. I'm a little concerned that second up she may hit a wall earlier in the race tonight and she is likely to get swallowed up as they head for home. Great effort to score last week but I think her more seasoned opponents will have her measure.”
Odds to win the QLD Distance Championship: $5.50 with Bet365
Box Two – Smashniak Gold
Black Dog – 30.6kg – May 2013
Lochinvar Marlow x Am Classy
Prize money: $12,345
Trainer: George Kadniak
Career: 22: 2-6-1
T/D: 0: 0-0-0
T/D Best: N/A
“Has been racing well over the 600m journey of late and in time he may turn into a handy stayer, however tonight he is taking on some quality opposition and he is likely to find the going very tough. Can settle near the speed early but will have trouble keeping up in the closing stages.”
Odds to win the QLD Distance Championship: $41 with Bet365
Box Four – Cyndie's Magic
Black Bitch – 26.1kg – March 2013
Magic Sprite x Regal Silver
Prize money: $48,608
Trainer: Bill Elson
Career: 35: 11-6-4
T/D: 6: 1-0-1
T/D Best: 42.11
“Can be hard to follow at times but since making her staying debut she has turned in some eye catching performances. I'm expecting the inside two to go forward in the early stages and that should help her chances as she should be able to rail through into a prominent position as they head past the post the first time. He mid race speed is a big asset and if she can find the top half way she should take some catching.”
Odds to win the QLD Distance Championship: $4.60 with Bet365
Box Five – Mullaway
Black Dog – 35.3kg – May 2012
Velocette x Halzini
Prize money: $116,098
Trainer: Joanne Price
Career: 57: 18-12-4
T/D: 17: 4-7-1
T/D Best: 41.77
“Class chaser in the field and with any sort of luck in running he should be winning. Last week he was going to lead but once he got crowded up he eased out. Tonight he has an empty draw on his outside and the chaser in seven has no speed at all, so with an even getaway he should be able to push forward in the early stages and settle in the top two or three early. He is genuinely strong in the run home and he has recorded a blistering 41.77 here previously, he really does look a good bet in this event.”
Odds to win the QLD Distance Championship: $1.60 with Bet365
Box Seven – Stargate System
Blue Dog – 28.9kg – July 2012
Velocette x Miss Sarajevo
Prize money: $31,921
Trainer: Wayne Crick
Career: 42: 5-7-12
T/D: 8: 0-2-2
T/D Best: 42.11
“Likely to get back in the early stages but does unwind a monster finish and he is probably the most genuine stayer in the field. Last week he was knocked over early in the event and from there on he was never a chance. Tonight I'm expecting him to drop out early but if he can avoid bother he should be able to make a strong move mid race and he will be right there at the end. Wide draw will suit and the fact he is a genuine stayer means he is a strong contender.”
Odds to win the QLD Distance Championship: $5.50 with Bet365
Box Eight – Cosmic Waters
Black Bitch – 25.8kg – November 2011
Cosmic Chief x Naval Juice
Prize money: $32,259
Trainer: Kaye Taylor
Career: 83: 27-10-16
T/D: 2: 0-0-1
T/D Best: 42.66
“Wide draw suits and she wasn't disgraced here last week when placed behind Flaunt It. She has the speed to lead for a long way but she does struggle in the concluding stages and I just can't see her making an impact.”
Odds to win the QLD Distance Championship: $31 with Bet365
Top Four: 5 – 7 – 4 – 1
Suggested Bets:
Win bet on Mullaway
Exacta: 5,7/4,5,7 ($6 for 100%)
Quinella: 5 to rove with 4 & 7 ($2 for 100%)
Trifecta: 5/4,7/1,4,7 ($4 for 100%)
QLD Sprint Championship final – 520 metres
Box One – Cyndie's Special
Black Bitch – 28.1kg – November 2011
Premier Fantasy x Regal Silver
Prize money: $85,255
Trainer: Bill Elson
Career: 81: 18-22-10
T/D: 58: 12-15-8
T/D Best: 29.86
“Cyndie's Special has been a great little chaser for quite some time now and she deserves her spot in the state final. Last week she gained a lucky split late in the race to grab victory and although she was lucky, she was actually quite impressive. This week is clearly a tougher test but if they happen to shuffle up at the first bend she might be able to settle in a forward spot and hold on for some minor money.”
Odds to win the QLD Sprint Championship: $4.80 with Bet365
Box Two – Flash Reality
Black Dog – 33.7kg – December 2011
Premier Fantasy x Orara Flash
Prize money: $198,703
Trainer: Tony Brett
Career: 33: 15-6-5
T/D: 26: 14-4-4
T/D Best: 29.58
“Former star sprinter who has had a career held back by serious injuries. In recent weeks he has been racing solidly but it is clearly obvious that he is not the same chaser he once was. He has probably drawn well in the two and if he can step cleanly and hold out Keybow he is a genuine chance of winning, however I'm just not convinced about him on his recent form.”
Odds to win the QLD Sprint Championship: $3.80 with Bet365
Box Three – Keybow
Black Dog – 31.3kg – December 2011
Take The Kitty x Key Exit
Prize money: $533,862
Trainer: Tony Brett
Career: 51: 24-8-6
T/D: 13: 7-2-1
T/D Best: 29.67
“Freak talent who has won over half a million dollars and he appears to be almost back to his best. He has been pinging the lids in recent weeks and if he can reproduce his 5.54 sectional from last week he should be able to pounce on the lead and he will be winning easily. He is likely to start short odds but he really does look better than these and he could make an impact in the Grand Final.”
Odds to win the QLD Sprint Championship: $1.70 with Bet365
Box Four – Annie Benz
Brindle Bitch – 28.6kg – May 2013
Westmead Osprey x Celtic Flyer
Prize money: $29,764
Trainer: Bev Beesley
Career: 24: 7-3-4
T/D: 17: 6-2-3
T/D Best: 30.05
“Speedy chaser who has progressed through the grades well and she caused a little bit of an upset when winning here last week in 30.17. She is armed with great early speed so she could be a bit of a nuisance early but she lacks strength and I can't see her holding off some of the stronger types in this event.”
Odds to win the QLD Sprint Championship: $17 with Bet365
Box Five – Mpingo
Black Dog – 31.9kg – November 2012
Vapour Whirl x Uno Minni Lee
Prize money: $40,179
Trainer: Christopher Riordon
Career: 27: 9-6-5
T/D: 14: 4-5-1
T/D Best: 30.04
“Very fast chaser on his night but he can do a lot of things wrong in his races, last week he was a little slow to begin and he had to work hard mid race before going down narrowly to Annie Benz. He has the talent to be competitive in a race like this, he just needs to step on terms because that will allow him to put himself in a commanding position early and he is quite strong in the run home. I don't like his winning chances because he is too unreliable but he should be able to run home into a place.”
Odds to win the QLD Sprint Championship: $15 with Bet365
Box Six – Main Story
Blue Fawn Dog – 34.0kg – November 2012
Knocka Norris x Honey Lass
Prize money: $22,635
Trainer: Sandra Hunt
Career: 14: 6-2-1
T/D: 14: 6-2-1
T/D Best: 29.97
“Sizzles early in his races and he is a highly promising speedster but unfortunately he appears to be lacking strength at the end of his races and to be competitive tonight he is going to need to improve his run home time. He consistently breaks the 5.60 mark to the first corner, so if he can repeat that he might be able to get across and if out in front he could hold on for some minor money.”
Odds to win the QLD Sprint Championship: $17 with Bet365
Box Seven – Pikelet
Blue Fawn – 27.7kg – October 2012
Cosmic Rumble x Super Surfer
Prize money: $36,009
Trainer: Tony Apap
Career: 28: 10-3-3
T/D: 14: 6-1-3
T/D Best: 29.88
“Can be hard to follow at times but she has turned in some great performances since resuming from a long spell and she could be the surprise packet in the final. Three starts back she powered to the line in her 29.95 win here and a similar effort tonight would see her press for victory. Her box manners can sometimes let her down but she does have good speed and she should get a nice cart across from the six in the early stages.”
Odds to win the QLD Sprint Championship: $15 with Bet365
Box Eight – Cheeky Freyer
Black Bitch – 28.4kg – February 2013
Fabregas x Whirly Storm
Prize money: $32,075
Trainer: Reg Hazelgrove
Career: 30: 9-8-2
T/D: 12: 2-3-1
T/D Best: 29.95
“Brilliant chaser on her night and she has the speed to match it with just about any chaser in this event, my concern with her tonight is that she might get posted wide for most of the trip because there is such an even spread of speed underneath her. She owns a slick 29.95 PB here and if she happens to cross she can win, however I do think place claims do appear best.”
Odds to win the QLD Sprint Championship: $21 with Bet365
1st Reserve – Kidatee Croc
Red Brindle Bitch – 27.8kg – February 2012
Cosmic Rumble x Zin Zin Zanziba
Prize money: $70,682
Trainer: Darren Russell
Career: 66: 18-15-11
T/D: 24: 6-5-4
T/D Best: 29.94
“Veteran chaser who is still going ok and he is capable of running time on the lure. Will be nice odds but can run time on the lure and could be worth an each way ticket if starts.”
Odds to win the QLD Sprint Championship: $15 with Bet365
2nd Reserve – Renouf's Magic
Black Dog – 30.3kg – May 2013
Magic Sprite x Bay Of Pearls
Prize money: $37,458
Trainer: Elaine Klaassen
Career: 27: 10-8-1
T/D: 23: 8-6-1
T/D Best: 29.92
“Highly talented chaser when on song and he would have genuine claims if he was able to gain a run. Has good early speed and hits the line well, unlikely to start but big chance if he does.”
Odds to win the QLD Sprint Championship: $21 with Bet365
Top Four: 3 – 2 – 7 – 1
Suggested Bets:
Trifecta: 3/1,2,7/Field ($18 for 100%)
Exacta: 2,3/1,2,3,7 ($6 for 100%)
Quinella: 3 to rove with 1,2,7 ($3 for 100%)
Trifecta: 2,3/2,3/Field ($12 for 100%)