Ultimate Maiden Produces Ultimate Field
Tuesday's (June 14) four semi-finals of the J.B Lodge Ultimate Maiden at Gosford saw the cream of the crop rise and book their place in next week‟s $10,000 final.
The three week series attracted a number of smart youngsters, giving race goers a preview of the ones to follow in future months.
Last Tuesday's semi-finals saw She's Purring, the daughter of Trewly Special x Flame Queen, post the fastest series time of 29.84 in her dominating 11 ¾ length victory.
Owned and trained by Andrew Jones of Orange, She's Purring is likely to start the punters elect in the final despite drawing box six.
“I wanted to draw from the six outwards, so I am confident going into the final given her early splits in comparison to those out wide,” Jones said following the box draw.
“She has always had the potential, when we purchased her, so it was really whether we held her up for the Garden maiden or give her a shot at Gosford.”
She's Purring will line up against fellow semi-final winners Ella Bonita (30.21), Tough Nut (30.41) and Spring Extreme (30.14).
Prepared by Doreen Drynan, Ella Bonita will need to reproduce the early dash shown in the semi finals to overcome the box eight draw.
Ella Bonita which started from box seven in her semi-final maintained a three lengths lead throughout the run over John Callaughan trained Calla Dude.
Kearsley trainer Ron Lambert took out semi-final three with Tough Nut returning $7.30 for his 2 ¾ length win over Macgruber.
While in semi-final four fellow Orange trainer Greg Board also tasted success with Spring Extreme recording an 8 ¼ length victory over the Darren Sultana trained Mr. Kibble Man.
Trainer Greg Board said the series was a credit to the club and worthwhile chasing.
“A race like that is worth going for even as a three week series.
“$10,000 to the winner is a great pick up if you can have a bit of luck and draw ok each week,” Board said.
“Anything can happen; you just have to be in right position at the first turn”.
“She (Spring Extreme) seems to have a bit of early toe, so hopefully she can beat the eight out,” he said.
Box draw for the final this coming Tuesday is as follows:
Race 6 – J.B. LODGE ULTIMATE MAIDEN FINAL 8:38 PM
MX 515 Metres
$10000-2500-1250
Box 1 – MACGRUBER Jeffrey Jaeger
Box 2 – NOVA VITE John Sweet
Box 3 – TOUGH NUT Ronald Lambert
Box 4 – CALLA DUDE John Callaughan
Box 5 – MR. KIBBLE MAN Darren Sultana
Box 6 – SHE'S PURRING Andrew Jones
Box 7 – SPRING EXTREME Gregory Board
Box 8 – ELLA BONITA Doreen Drynan
Reserves:
1st Reserve – RITZA RYDER Mark Gatt
2nd Reserve – CHAMP KIND Warren Harper
The Gosford club wishes to thank J.B Lodge for their generous sponsorship of this event & wishes all connections the best of luck in the final.