Stars Ready To Rock The Hunter In Two Group One Showdowns
This Friday night at Betchoice Gardens will see not one but two sensational Group One age restricted finals worth $75,000 each. After two intense weeks of heats and semi-finals contests, where some of the fastest times ever recorded at Betchoice Gardens were witnessed by spectators, should draw a bumper crowd for the Hunter's drawcard meeting of 2012.
Of the two futurity semi-finals conducted last week, Geoff Collins Victorian star sprinter Zara Zulu began quickly to sit in second position behind the leader at the first turn before shooting away to win by six lengths in a very smart 29.61. Midnight Capers who finished in second position was equally as gallant as last week's performance finishing behind Avondale Queen in 29.51.
After beginning well from box two, the daughter of prominent sprinter Midnight Movie, made solid ground on the winner and now holds the ace in this week's final after coming up with box one. Zara Zulu will have to use her early pace to overcome a difficult box five draw.
Olive Millie, an outside chance in heat one of the National Futurity last week used her box one draw to perfection to sit behind second favourite By Starlight before mowing her down in the latter stages to score by ¾ lengths in 29.81. Jason Mackay's Witch's Potion was equally impressive to finish in second position and has drawn a favourable box two in this week's final.
It was the McElle show in the fastest of the National Derby semi-finals with the Reg Kay hot shot pinning the lids again to blow away his rivals with impressive early sectionals once again to score in 29.78. After coming up with box three again in this week's final, he should give trainer Jason Mackay a great sight out in front at the first turn.
Semi-final number two was an action packed event with Anthony Azzopardi's speedster Free Will leading for the majority of the race to be pipped at the post by a neck from the flying Sure As in 29.93. He slowly reeled in his opponents and has come up with a handy box two in this week's final. Pure Instinct was just as impressive and scored his place in this week's final after finishing in third position.
The Friday night meeting with kick off at 7.08pm with a large crowd expected to see some of Australia's hottest young dogs fight it out for first prize. The box draws as always will prove vital to punter with Midnight Capers installed as the $3 favourite in the Futurity and McElle at even shorter odds at $2.80 for the Derby.
1st: $75,000 2nd: $14,000 3rd: $7,000 Unplaced: $500.
No.NameFormBestTrainer
1st: $75,000 2nd: $14,000 3rd: $7,000 Unplaced: $500.
No.NameFormBestTrainer