The short-course speedsters will be out in force at Mandurah for the Group Three Mandurah Mail Birthday Cup over 405 metres on Friday night.
With the race worth $25,000 to the winner, most of the chasers engaged have plenty of class including Paul Stuart's regally-bred duo Sialia (box one) and Astrophysic (box four).
Christine Robartson will also be represented by two finalists in Golden Gossip (box two) and Last Day (box seven), the winner of last year's Mandurah Cup over 490 metres. Last Day, a son of Dashing Corsair and Take A Squizz, will be looking for his fifth consecutive win and his 26th overall.
Young Emily Frazer has her first Group finalist in Walkaway Ablaze (box eight), which is a genuine threat despite being drawn out wide. His scintillating early sectionals should have him right up near the lead in the early stages.
There is lots of early speed drawn in the centre with Majestic Gem (box five) and Fun Princess (box six) both pinging the lids in their heats last week. Both will need luck from the awkward draws, but it pays to be a frontrunner in these big races, especially over the short-course sprint.
The field is rounded out by Powerhouse (box three), the grand old stager of the field. He ran a great race to claim his heat last week and has been a great money-spinner for connections. He may find a few of these a bit hot, but you have to respect the old bloke, which is over four years of age.
Paul Stuart (Trainer) – I'd prefer if they were switched around, to be honest. Sialia is better off with an outside draw. She's only a little bitch which doesn't go well with them going around the outside.
Best Mandurah Times
Best
Last
Sect. Best
Sect. Last
22.45
22.66
6.55
6.62
Box 2
Race Odds
$8.50
Golden Gossip
Trainer
Christine Robartson
Owner
Jason Jennings
Prizemoney
$27,345
Last 10 Starts
2471214751
February 2012
Red Brindle
Bitch
by
Turanza Bale
–
Expect More
Start
Moderate
Running
Rail
Finish
Strong
Prizemoney Rating
$943
Rating
86
Career Record
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
29
11
7
1
Strike Rates
Win %
Place %
38
66
Track & Dist.
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
9
7
2
0
Box 2 Record
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
4
2
1
1
Christine Robartson (Trainer) – She will jump, she seems to accelerate at first but then settle. She is not a true sprinter, the others will probably take off around her, but she will run on and she won't leave the rail. I just don't think she is a 22.40 type of dog.
Best Mandurah Times
Best
Last
Sect. Best
Sect. Last
22.50
22.77
6.58
6.73
Box 3
Race Odds
$26
Heat Replay
Powerhouse
Trainer
Andrew McLaren
Owner
K Charles, K Charles, A Charles
Prizemoney
$31,655
Last 10 Starts
8727547521
November 2010
Black
Dog
by
Path To Power
–
Velocity Cloud
Start
Fair
Running
Rail
Finish
Good
Prizemoney Rating
$395
Rating
80
Career Record
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
80
21
16
6
Strike Rates
Win %
Place %
26
54
Track & Dist.
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
5
1
1
1
Box 3 Record
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
8
1
3
0
Andrew McLaren (Trainer) – This is his hardest task, there is no doubt about it. I think we will get room early. I don't think we can win, but I think we can give the placings a good shake. He will be up there early but the rest of them will be trying to do the same thing. I think whoever goes around the first turn in front will probably win.
Best Mandurah Times
Best
Last
Sect. Best
Sect. Last
22.73
22.93
6.61
6.61
Box 4
Race Odds
$2.10
Astrophysic
Trainer
Paul Stuart
Owner
Paul Stuart
Prizemoney
$19,075
Last 10 Starts
1311211111
January 2013
Dark Brindle
Dog
by
Cosmic Rumble
–
Right On Ruby
Start
Excellent
Running
Rail
Finish
Good
Prizemoney Rating
$1,467
Rating
100
Career Record
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
13
11
1
1
Strike Rates
Win %
Place %
85
100
Track & Dist.
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
13
11
1
1
Box 4 Record
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
1
1
0
0
Paul Stuart (Trainer) – It will definitely be his hardest test to date. He hasn't drawn too well so he has to be on his best behaviour. There are some classy types in this field and his lack of experience is a worry. The draw is a worry but he is fast enough to counter that.
Best Mandurah Times
Best
Last
Sect. Best
Sect. Last
22.41
22.55
6.45
6.52
Box 5
Race Odds
$31
Majestic Gem
Trainer
Greg Martin
Owner
Anthony Barranca
Prizemoney
$22,160
Last 10 Starts
1254654251
January 2012
Blue
Bitch
by
El Grand Senor
–
Cosmic Sapphire
Start
Risky
Running
Rail
Finish
Good
Prizemoney Rating
$739
Rating
85
Career Record
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
30
10
6
1
Strike Rates
Win %
Place %
33
57
Track & Dist.
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
27
10
5
1
Box 5 Record
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
5
1
1
0
ARG Comment – Began brilliantly from box three in her heat last week, recording a solid 22.76 heat win. She will need to do everything right again in the final with several pacy chasers in the race that are capable of quicker times.
Lexia Isaac (Trainer) – I think she has a good chance. On her night she is a very good beginner and if she can jump like she did last week then she will probably be out in front and it will just be whether she can stay there or not.
Best Mandurah Times
Best
Last
Sect. Best
Sect. Last
22.60
22.60
6.55
6.55
Box 7
Race Odds
$5.00
Last Day
Trainer
Christine Robartson
Owner
Larry Jocumsen
Prizemoney
$83,665
Last 10 Starts
1123151111
November 2011
Blue Brindle
Dog
by
Dashing Corsair
–
Take A Squizz
Start
Good
Running
Rail
Finish
Strong
Prizemoney Rating
$1,521
Rating
90
Career Record
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
55
25
15
6
Strike Rates
Win %
Place %
45
84
Track & Dist.
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
19
10
4
1
Box 7 Record
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
7
2
3
2
Christine Robartson (Trainer) – I'd like the boxes to be reversed and for him to be in box two. He is the one with the most ability but not from box seven. He has been a really good dog and he usually comes home strong, although I would like to see him ping straight to the front.
Best Mandurah Times
Best
Last
Sect. Best
Sect. Last
22.49
22.49
6.63
6.63
Box 8
Race Odds
$5.00
Walkaway Ablaze
Trainer
Emily Frazer
Owner
Emily Frazer
Prizemoney
$30,915
Last 10 Starts
1111311521
February 2011
Red Brindle
Dog
by
Bombastic Shiraz
–
Walkaway Tiny
Start
Good
Running
Rail
Finish
Good
Prizemoney Rating
$562
Rating
96
Career Record
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
55
18
16
8
Strike Rates
Win %
Place %
33
76
Track & Dist.
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
6
3
1
1
Box 8 Record
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
6
0
4
0
Emily Frazer (Trainer) – He is going to have to come out running. Paul Stuart and Dave Robartson's dogs are probably the ones to beat. I reckon he needed the fence, but he might stay out of trouble out there and with a bit of luck he might find the fence. It is the first Group final that I have made, it would be a total dream come true to win it, but it is a very hard race.
Best Mandurah Times
Best
Last
Sect. Best
Sect. Last
22.55
22.77
6.48
6.57
The Mandurah Mail Birthday Cup final is race seven on tonight's card and will jump at 12:02AEDT.