Sir Banjo looks to make noise for Boody in Bundaberg Young Guns
Sir Banjo is ready to show he can match it with the best of them in Central Queensland when he steps out in the Bundaberg Young Guns Final next week.
A five-time winner over the Wentworth Park 520m, he was brought north to Rockhampton and has since managed one win and a place from four starts in the Sunshine State.
On Monday, Sir Banjo won his Young Guns heat by 5.75 lengths with a run in 30.39, securing his spot in the decider.
Trainer Ken Boody took out last week’s Bundaberg Anniversary Cup with San Marco winning by 3.75 lengths in an upset over heavily backed favourite Durham.
He was impressed with Sir Banjo’s run and is confident ahead of the final.
“Happy with the run and hopefully we can draw an inside box next week in the final and he will be right in it,” Boody said.
Bundaberg Young Guns Heat 2 – Sir Banjo (1st)
Make Noise won the other heat for local trainer Lorraine Isles in the shorter time of 30.21, some 15 lengths ahead of Bentley Boom in second.
With nine from 21 career starts at the track, the bitch is sure to have heavy backing leading into the final.
The manager of CG Syndications, Jaycin Campbell, has wraps on Sir Banjo.
“We paid good money for him (Sir Banjo) off the back of three successive Wentworth Park victories,” Campbell said.
“We have hopes that he can be a solidified country star and potentially have a crack at some races down south later on.
“He had a 460m trial last Monday and was super breaking 26 seconds. His best piece of work to date for us, which gave us high hopes in the heat yesterday.
“We were hopeful he’d sit on Smart And Classy, rail down the back and be too strong but that didn’t eventuate.
“He led and it was game over before it had even started. Luckily, he did lead, as he ran moderate time. Visually impressive, sectionally very disappointing.”
Following on from the heat, Campbell understands that it should come down to a battle with the Zambora Brockie x Shez Sublime opponent, Make Noise.
“He should come on from that run but will need to considering the first heat winner,” he said.
“Drawing inside Make Noise would be ideal for the final and given he does so he’s surely the one to beat.”
Campbell added that the box draw would influence the run Sir Banjo puts in given past track history.
“Box 1 is preferred but I’d be asking too much,” he laughed.
“Either wing – 1,2 or 7,8.
“Just not middle as he’s a tardy beginner.
“He’s had eight starts for one win off 4 and 5, so striking at 15%.
“He has had 22 starts off inside and outside draws for eight wins striking at 36%.”