THE new track record holder at The Meadows, Space Star, will be looking to secure another Group 1 victory in tonight's $100,000 Superstayers final.
Starting at skinny odds of just $1.60, the Robert Britton trained chaser was never headed in a brilliant exhibition last week over the 725m distance. Clocking a sizzling time of 41.93, the son of Bekim Bale and Tonto Tear will only need a clear run from box six to post another impressive time.
Brooke and Jamie Ennis will be praying for some luck with their runner Lady Toy, which will exit from box one. The Galaxy runner-up blew her rivals away last week in 42.58 on a drenched surface and can easily secure this event if the favourite finds trouble.
The Ennis family will notch up their third Group 1 title within a month if they are successful, a training feat that reflects their outstanding ability in preparing quality chasers.
Other heat winners from last week, Nicki Fields and Luna Jinx are not out of it, provided they get a clear getaway in the early stages. Nicki Fields has won four of her past five attempts and will significantly improve on her personal best time last week of 42.91.
The final will be run and won at 8.38pm (Victorian Time).
ARG's Brad Bugeja: “Has gone to a new level since joining the Ennis camp and she has been fortunate to draw well in all the Finals/Feature Events she has contested in recent months. Last week she scored a commanding 42.58 heat win and on a good track that run probably was more of a 42.30 run. The box draw is a big advantage tonight and if she steps well she could give the favourite a run for his money, however I still think she had her chance to beat him in Perth, so I can't see her turning the tables on him.”
ARG's Brad Bugeja: “Great effort to qualify for the final and deserves her spot, however I think she is well out of her depth and she is going to need a lot to go right for her to take home some minor money. She can show early speed in her races but with the speed drawn around her, she is likely to get shuffled back early and she can't give these calibre of chasers too big of a head start.”
ARG's Brad Bugeja: “After looking over last week's heats, I think he was by far the most disappointing. Once he landed second I kept thinking to myself that its only a matter of time until he chews the leader up and runs away to an easy victory, however he appeared to be a bit one paced and I think he may have even switched off. His effort in the Zoom Top though was too good to totally dismiss, so I think he can feature in the money tonight, however he will need to improve on his poor heat run.”
ARG's Brad Bugeja: “Has been a consistent and competitive chaser for quite a while now and he turned in a great effort when placed in his heat last week. The box draw hasn't done him any favours and his record of one placing from seven tries over this journey doesn't give me much confidence in his chances. Great effort to qualify but is facing an uphill battle in this lineup.”
ARG's Brad Bugeja: “Has always had enormous talent but she tends to make a lot of mistakes in running. She turned in a very strong effort to score in her heat and if you knew she was going to get a clear run she would be a great chance to finish in the top three. My concern with her is that she doesn't like to be crowded in her races and from the middle pin she is likely to get spat out the back early.”
ARG's Brad Bugeja: “Easily the most in form chaser in the country and he continues to get better and better with every run. Last week he speared the lids and reeled off ridiculous sectionals before eclipsing a track record which looked almost impossible to break. He is suited to the wide draw tonight and if he can settle in the top three early he should blow his rivals away, he is the real deal and if he appears to be getting stronger with every run. A win tonight will see him climb past 400k in prize money and in the coming months I would expect him to continue his climb up the all time prize money list.”
ARG's Brad Bugeja: “Racing in career best form and she railed their ears off when scoring here last week in 42.91. The time wasn't flashy but the track was slow and she can obviously go much faster than that. My concern with her tonight is that she is drawn on the wrong side of the track and she is likely to settle too far back in the early stages.”
ARG's Brad Bugeja: “My smokey for the final and I think he is a fantastic place bet. He is perfectly placed in the pink draw and he tends to save his best racing for this track and trip. He was soundly beaten in his heat but that was only his second run from a spell and I am expecting him to improve quite a bit on that run. I can't see any chaser getting near Space Star but I think this bloke can avoid trouble early and he could put some value into the quinella dividend.”
Best The Meadows Times
Best
Last
Sect. Best
Sect. Last
42.32
42.96
5.22
4.72
Top Four: 6 – 1 – 8 – 3
Suggested Bets:
Quinella: 6 to rove with 1,3,8 ($3 for 100%)
Trifecta: 6/1,3,8/1,3,8 ($6 for 100%)
Trifecta: 6/1,3,8/Field ($18 for 100%)
Trifecta: 6/1/Field ($6 for 100%)
Trifecta: 6/1/3,8 ($2 for 100%)
William Hill are giving new customers up to $700 in bonus bets to place on the Superstayers final upon sign-up.
