Starliner And Raging Obsession Impress In RQL Young Guns Heats
Last night Queensland’s Albion Park saw five heats of the age restricted RQL young gun series. With the five heat winners and the three fastest second place getters progressing to next weeks $10,000 to the winner final, racing was at its best and didn’t disappoint. These events are always a good guide to greys of the future and bring together the best young dogs currently around. This series attracted a number of quality performers including some who had contested the the recent rich Ipswich Maiden series. Next weeks final is set to be a cracker and the box draw – as it always does in finals – will impact the chances of the finalist and their connections.
The first heat produced a great last to first performance from the Gary Petterson owned and trained Starliner winning by two and a half lengths over Cherono with a neck to Pearl Za Zinger in third. Coming from last to first the white son of Pure Octane-Borgata looked impressive in the run home stopping the clock in 30.32. It was a great training performance freshening him up for the series after a short break. An outstanding 600m performer Starliner proved too strong in the closing stages to bring up win number 8 at the track and his 13th overall.
In the small field that contested heat two the John Edwards trained Hawko’s Mistake started all the rage after his recent best 8 win at headquarters where he broke the magical 30 seconds. He would have to settle for second though as Raging Obsession led from box rise to win all the way in 30.24 (BON) by five and a quarter lengths with a further two and a quarter lengths to Dramatic Miss in third. Owned and trained by Peter Simpson, Raging Obsession (Go Wild Teddy-Rose Chalice) was having his first start at the track and looked very impressive and a young star on the rise. An unlucky third in the Vince Curry final he will be one of the favourites next Thursday night after bringing up win number three from just the seven starts where he is yet to miss a place.
Bakaara used her box 8 to perfection in heat three, spearing across the field to lead from start to finish winning by one and three quarter lengths over Japelli with a further six and quarter lengths to Rush of Power in third. The Michael Menken trained daughter of Where’s Pedro-Grampian sped through a first section in 5.75 eventually stopping the clock in 30.39 in an impressive victory. The ultra consistent bitch displayed her ability with a great front running performance to bring up win number 7 for the ‘Flying Fleabags Syndicate.’
The fourth heat produced a thrilling finish as Premier Recall wore down early leader Grundon to win by a head with a neck to a flying Ellie’s Flash in third. Trained by Margaret Quarrell, Premier Recall (Premier Chief–Kathy’s Recall) used her box 1 to advantage stopping the clock in 30.39. One of the outsiders in the race she improved on her track best and looks a nice type as she brought up win number 3.
The fifth and final heat of the night saw the box 5 Mr Garcia lead all the way in 30.62 winning by a quarter of a length over Harry Tycoon with a further two and quarter lengths to True To You in third. The Sandra Hunt trained son of Bit Chilli-Mrs Trickett is ultra impressive early and sped through a 5.68 first section. At headquarters he has the impressive record of 10 starts for 6 wins and 3 seconds. Although the slowest of the heat wins his early speed will put him into contention next Thursday nights final.
The final is set to be a great race and we wish all connections the best of luck. The Albion Park club will hope for large crowd to add to the atmosphere and it should be a great night off the track with top class racing on it.
The box draw for next weeks final is: 1. Jeppelli, 2. Cherono, 3. Premier Recall, 4. Mr Garcia, 5. Bakaara, 6. Grundon, 7. Raging Obsession, 8. Starliner. Reserves: 9. Hawko’s Mistake, 10. Harry Tycoon