Space Star Rockets In 2014 Bold Trease Heats
Space Star made an auspicious debut for the Robert Britton kennel by setting the fastest qualifying time of the four Group One Bold Trease heats at Sandown on Thursday night.
The young son of Bekim Bale and Tonto Tears (Kiowa Sweet Trey – Tears) was having his first start for the Lara based kennel since coming from New South Wales. He clocked a rapid 41.65 for the journey in a 4 1/2 length win.
After jumping midfield from box six, Space Star quickly worked to second and then took over from early leader Flying Twist (1) as they passed the winning post the first time.
From that point on he extended his lead with the only likely danger to be champion bitch Sweet It Is (2) who was finding her share of trouble back in the field.
Space Star proved too good staving off the fast finishing Sweet It Is in a convincing win. The sky could be the limit for this dog if Britton can continue to get him to produce efforts like that.
Earlier Coulta Rock made the most of his opportunities to land the first heat in what was a mixing affair for Longwarry trainer David Curtain. The result was certainly nothing flattering on the clock with the time for the journey being an average 42.76.
After jumping midfield from box four and finding some early interference, the son of Velocette and Coulta Sally (Go Forever – Coulta Tess) found himself second as the field went into the back, some six lengths behind tearaway leader Galloping Rocky (8).
Swinging for home, Coulta Rock railed underneath the tiring leader and plugged home to win in a dour effort. Reap The Benefit (2) ran on well from midfield to grab second and a spot in next week's final with She Shall Rock (7) a close third.
Beks sprung an upset in the third heat for Dennington mentor Patrick Bouchier when he arrived right on time to claim the race in 42.04.
The son of Bekim Bale and Flaming Doll (Ginger Bread Man – Hot Doll) left box six in seventh placing and slowly weaved a passage through the field to claim Zipping Maggie (2) and Dyna Kayla (3) in the concluding stages.
The fourth and final heat was a rough and tumble affair that saw an all-the-way win to Mystic Twist for trainer Mark Cauchi in 42.06.
The daughter of Velocette and Valley Twist (Surf Lorian – Valley Girl) made her own luck up front when four dogs came down behind her at the first turn leaving her as practically the only runner left unscathed.
She opened up a big break which formed the catalyst for her victory with the favourite Blinker's On (8) only able to get within two lengths of her on the line.
The qualifiers for the final are listed below in no particular order with the box draw to be conducted at midday on Friday.
Coulta Rock – Dacid Curtain
Reap The Benefit – Michael Chilcott
Space Star – Robert Britton
Sweet It Is – Darren McDonald
Beks – Patrick Bouchier
Zipping Maggie – Peter Dapiran
Mystic Twist – Mark Cauchi
Blinker's On – Brooke Ennis
Reserves
Dyna Kayla – Andrea Dailly
Manilla Express – Captain Abbott