Royal Sprite To Start Favourite For Vic Peters Final From Box 1
Wentworth Park specialist Royal Sprite will go into Saturday night's November 9, Group 1 Sportingbet Vic Peters (520m) final as the race favourite after drawing the cherished box one rug.
A sensational list of eight finalists was brought together following four semi finals at the Glebe circuit on November 2.
The opening semi saw fastest heat qualifier Gimme Fuel start the punters elect, however it was Jason Thompson prepared Whata Good Size which stepped the best winning in 29.82 over Folk Tails and Cawbourne Brodie. Thompson will be shooting for back to back Vic Peters titles after claiming the event in 2012 with Proven Nitro.
Belfast Johnny for Troy Vella won the second qualifier in impressive fashion, showing strong mid race dash, Belfast Johnny won by 6 ½ lengths over Royal Sprite, which finished strongly to secure his third Group race final position for the year.
The third semi saw Frosty Vintage atone for her heat run, where she was run down on the line. The 29.90 victory saw the daughter of Frosty Fruits lead from start to finish, ending Avondale Porche's unbeaten run. Avondale Porche held out a late lunge from Living Proof to secure trainer Beau Hedley a spot in Saturday's $75,000 to the winner final.
In the final qualifier, Evil Punk was the strongest finisher, running down early leader Another Call to stop the clock at 29.70, four lengths clear of Soviet Missile which sees trainer Toby Weekes line up in his first Group 1 Final.
Saturday Sportingbet Vic Peters final shapes as an interesting event given the box draw, with Royal Sprite set to head betting.
Saturday's oncourse events will include a mechanical bull ride from 6pm.
The box draw for the Group 1 Sportingbet Vic Peters Final is:
Group 1 Sportingbet Vic Peters Final
Box 1 – Royal Sprite – Jane Carruthers
Box 2 – Belfast Johnny – Troy Vella
Box 3 – Folk Tails – Carly Absalom
Box 4 – Frosty Vintage – Craig Chappelow
Box 5 – Avondale Porche – Beau Hedley
Box 6 – Soviet Missile – Toby Weekes
Box 7 – Evil Punk – James Coyle
Box 8 – Whata Good Size – Jason Thompson
1st Res – Living Proog – Glenn Rounds
2nd Res – Waylin Joy – Paul Bigeni