Semi-Final Time For 2014 Group One Maturity Classic
It's semi-final time for the Group One Maturity Classic. The top two from each heat will progress through to next week's $100,000 final.
The fastest heat qualifier was My Bro Fabio and he will line up in first semi-final on the card.
Here's a look at some of the main chances in each semi;
Semi-Final One – Race 5 at 8:40pm
There's a mix of early speed and strength in this race. Push It (2), Rue De Kahn (4) and Mepunga Hayley (5) all possess good early toe. Push It is the best drawn of the three but bombed the start last week and weakened in the latter stages, going down by three and a quarter lengths to Crackerjack Rose in 30.48. Rue De Kahn flew out last week from box seven and recorded 30.15 while Mepunga Hayley also recorded 30.15; running down White Spyro.
The strength comes through Give You Credit (6), My Bro Fabio (7) and Hooksy (8). Hooksy struck trouble last week and scraped home for third. The draw hasn't been kind to him as he hasn't recorded a win out of box eight. My Bro Fabio got the room he needed last week to scorch away to a 29.79 win but with the speed drawn on the inside, he may not be so lucky getting that room this week. Queenslander Give You Credit put in an eye-catching run behind Samus Allen. He will be long odds but is the improver in the race.
The other two runners are Hot Whirl (1) who ran second from this draw last week and Kerrigan Bale (3), who has only been unplaced in two career starts.
Semi-Final Two – Race 6 at 8:58pm
The talented Samus Allen (5) can't seem to draw a box for this series as she has drawn box five again. She handled the box impressively last week and a repeat of that should see her go well. She ran 30.11 in the heats, winning by one and a quarter lengths and recording 5.08 to the first mark.
Where's The Surf (2) had this box last week when he stopped the clock at 30.05 in his heat win. He led all the way and clocked 5.12 as his first section.
Anthony Azzopardi will be hoping his venture south pays off and Shoulders (3) qualifies for next week's final. The dog has been well prepared for the series, with a handy record of two wins and three placings from five starts at The Meadows. He ran second to Spring Leaf last week but is capable of going better as he has recorded a best of 29.94 at the track.
White Spyro (8) jumped out in a hurry last week and went a flying 5.01 early. However, she was chopped down by Mepunga Hayley and based on that, she will need to get a clean and handy lead to be a chance of winning this race.
Semi-Final Three – Race 7 at 9:20pm
The two top chances are boxed next to each other on the outside. Luca Neveelk (7) and Eliza Blanche (8) have both been impressive in their short careers. Luca Neveelk debuted well at The Meadows last week, leading all the way in 30.15. Eliza Blanche had to do a mile of work to get second but she never gave up and if she gets a cleaner run this week, she is well and truly in the race as she has a best of 29.82 at the track.
Dyna Ostranda (6) had the good rails draw last week to win in 30.05. The move to box six isn't ideal but last week's run showed he has the ability to mix it with the runners in this field.
Top Secret (4) has shown a penchant for racing near the lead so he does present an each-way chance here. He finished second behind My Bro Fabio last week and prior to that had some handy placings around. Bendigo. His brother, Take Charge (3), is much better drawn this week and could also be up there challenging early.
Semi-Final Four – Race 8 at 9:42pm
Spring Leaf (4) was outstanding last week in her 30.10 win. She has developed a good winning strike rate, winning seven from 10. She has slow beginners boxed on both sides of her which should suit.
All Strung Out (3) had all sorts of trouble negotiating box eight last week but moves back to a suitable inside draw here. He had this box when he won in 30.11 earlier this month. He has never been unplaced in his short 11 start career and has factored in the placings in both starts at The Meadows.
Sisco Rage (1) races well over this distance at The Meadows. She had box eight last week and wound her way around the field to finish second. The inside draw has been kind to her in the past, she just needs an ounce of luck and a bit of room to put herself in the race.
Zipping Snoppy (8) ran his personal best of 30.11 last week from box two. He is a little inconsistent when racing week-to-week but he likes The Meadows so can't be discounted.