Belfast Johnny Sizzles In Vic Peters Semi-Finals
Jason Thompson's sensational week continued last night when the underrated Whata Good Size scored a fantastic win in the first semi-final of the Group 1 Vic Peters Classic at Wentworth Park. Thompson trains the freakish Black Magic Opal which broke the 450 metre track record on Thursday night and now looks set to feature heavily in the $75,000 to the winner feature in Sydney next Saturday night.
Whata Good Size only began evenly from box six but showed an incredible turn of foot to find the front in the run to the line on the first occasion. Once he put his paws in front, the son of Fear Zafonic and Surf Queen crossed swiftly to the rails and never looked like being defeated from that point in time- extending his lead to score by seven and one quarter lengths in a quick 29.82s. Running on well into second position was Folk Tails ($55.70) for Carly Absalom.
The black sprinter qualified for the semi-finals after running a promising second behind Royal Sprite in his heat. The 28 kilogram dog appeared to have derived great benefit from a look at the track last week and took his record to 17 wins and nine minor placings from 30 career starts.
Whata Good Size went to the boxes as the second favourite ($3.10). Race favourite Gimme Fuel ($1.90) was never out of trouble from box five, finishing back in seventh position.
The second semi-final went to the exciting Belfast Johnny for Blacktown mentor Troy Vella. The Cosmic Rumble dog only began averagely from box five but appreciated a vacant box on his direct inside, quickly mustering enough pace to park himself in second position going around the first turn. Belfast Johnny quickly balanced himself up down the back and dashed along the outside of Bella Senora to assume the lead. Straightening for home he was never in any danger, defeating the super strong Royal Sprite by six and one quarter lengths in a blistering 29.67s. The odds on favourite, Ritza Hattie ($1.60), only began averagely from the cherry and was always chasing gallantly, however she could only manage third behind the tearaway leader which was running some hot times up in front.
Belfast Johnny is turning into an above average pup- winning six of his nine starts including a near track record performance at Maitland (24.97s) back in August.
Avondale Porche went into the semi-finals undefeated after nine starts, but after a sloppy beginning her chances were instantly slashed in the third qualifier. The regally bred Frosty Vintage, however, flew the lids- clocking a sensational split of 5.38 in the run to the post, setting up a big break entering the back straight. Avondale Porche was quick to get back into stride, railing through into second position and setting out in pursuit of the race leader, but she couldn't quite get there on the line- going down by one and one quarter lengths to Craig Chappelow's promising youngster who clocked a nippy 29.90s for the 520 metre trip.
Frosty Vintage is a beautifully bred son of Bombastic Shiraz and prolific producer Frosty Fruits- making him a maternal brother to some great chasers such as Flavours, Goodesy, Pulp and Little Sparkle. With plenty of talent of his own, the black dog is sure to make his presence felt when he jumps in the Group 1 final next Saturday.
The fourth and final semi-final went to James Coyle's Evil Punk who showed great field sense to find the rails from box four and take control of the race down the back. The black son of Collision sprinted away from his opposition and in the process lowered his personal best over the track and distance from 29.98s to a terrific 29.70s. Now a winner of eight from 29, Evil Punk lowered the colours of Tasmanian sensation Buckle Up Wes ($1.70) which found interference from box six. Soviet Missile ran on well to snare second position and a spot in the lucrative final when finishing three and a half lengths behind the winner.
The box draw for the Group 1 Vic Peters Classic is as follows:
- Box 1: Royal Sprite
- Box 2: Belfast Johnny
- Box 3: Folk Tails
- Box 4: Frosty Vintage
- Box 5: Avondale Porche
- Box 6: Soviet Missile
- Box 7: Evil Punk
- Box 8: Whata Good Size
First Reserve: Living Proof
Second Reserve: Waylin Joy
Spoke to trainer last night and he was very hapoy with the 2
Spoke to trainer last night and he was very hapoy with the 2