Cobblepot facing stiff competition in QGOLD Blitz Final
Some of Queensland's quickest chasers will do battle over the 331m at Albion Park this Thursday night in the QGOLD Blitz Final.
When Cobblepot lines up he will be looking inside to get the jump on Where's Johnson after going down to him in the heats last Sunday.
The Stephen Rolph-trained Cobblepot ran second behind the Greg Deering dog by 5.75 lengths, with Where's Johnson recording the fastest heat time in 18.72.
“We were a little disappointed he didn't win as the short-priced runner,” Rolph said on the second-place finish.
The trainer wanted box seven or eight for the final and the yellow box for Thursday's contest.
“I was hoping for an outside draw but I suppose five is better than one, two, three, or four,” Rolph said.
“Naturally over 331m there is pace everywhere and I think the main danger is the two (Special Was It).
“He desperately wants near the inside and he gets it, so Cobblepot has to hold out the dogs to his outside to be any chance.”
Hailing from the strong Cyndie Elson kennel, Special Was It finished strongly to win his heat despite being beaten on the jump.
2023 QGOLD Blitz Heat 1 replay
Winner: Special Was It (18.72)
Elson also trains Hello Bill (6), who will be going for his fifth-straight win and is only unplaced three times in his 17 career starts to date.
Deering also prepares Times Three, a slouch by no means.
The Zambora Brockie x Kinslee chaser was beaten by Hello Bill but is placed at Group 1 level over the further 520m.
He has run the Albion Park 331m four times, winning on three of those occasions, and will be looking to add to that strong formline.
Trainer Deering said he would be looking for Times Three to return to the further distance after this start and Where's Johnson to be given his first crack at the 520m trip also.
He also said he was hoping for wide draws for his pair in the final, but he was confident in their chances.
“They seem to both like to race out wide but it should be a great race anyway,” Deering said.