2012 Centrebet Maiden Set To See Magic Final
Following four semi-finals of the 520m Group 3 Centrebet Magic Maiden at Wentworth Park last night, the final line up for next week's final has been determined.
2012 series winning trainer, Jason Mackay will have one runner in the $25,000 to the winner final, after Trident Catch put in a huge come from behind run to finish second in the fourth semi-final.
Despite drawing box seven and inside a keen railer (Doomed), Mackay believes anything is possible next Saturday night.
“He (Trident Catch) is still so green, and if he can just avoid Doomed early he can go quick enough to win,” Mackay said following the draw.
“I was wrapped with his run tonight to qualify, and he had to draw wide in the final to be a shot.
“We are there is the main thing,” Mackay said.
Trident Catch is owned by Martin and Fiona Hallinan who also bred last year's boom Malfoy x Or Catra litter which featured heavily in the 2011 Centrebet Magic Maiden.
Likely favourite for the event will be Chris O'Brien prepared Tifia, which qualified for the final fastest, in 29.77.
Trainer O'Brien believes that Tifia is an exciting youngster capable of anything, and having raced brood bitch Tifi, O'Brien is certainly in a position to judge.
“I have had a big opinion of her (Tifia) from very early on,” O'Brien said.
“She performance trialled sensational at Dapto, and unlike her mother she holds her line out of the box which makes her so competitive.
“I couldn't be happier with the bitch, the way she has gone tonight and now especially given she has drawn box two I hope I can finally get my first Group win,” O'Brien said.
The box draw for the Group 3 Centrebet Magic Maiden is as follows:
CENTREBET MAGIC MAIDEN Final
8.27PM NG 520 Metres, $25,000 – 5,00 – 2,500
Box 1 – SHE'LL BE COMING – PETER RODGERS
Box 2 – TIFIA – CHRIS O'BRIEN
Box 3 – TOMATO CATCH UP – PETER LAGOGIANE
Box 4 – MEGA FLAME – ANNE KADA
Box 5 – VELOCITY HIGH – ROBERT GILTINAN
Box 6 – FLASH WATERS – STEVE SING
Box 7 – TRIDENT CATCH – JASON MACKAY
Box 8 – DOOMED – JASON THOMPSON
1st Res – MR. GAMBO – DAVID SUNDSTROM
2nd Res – BUCK FEVER – DAVID PRINGLE
Sponsors Centrebet, will be running their own the dog competition trackside next Saturday, where one lucky attendee will win $3,000. Full details will be available on the night.
Next Saturday's Centrebet Magic Maiden final will be run in conjunction with the Group 1 Macro Meats Golden Easter Egg (520m) and Hotham Body Repairs Association Cup (720m)
The box draws for both of these events will occur at at The Mint on Monday from 10.30am.