Breeders Challenge Finals at Menangle feature Eureka prospects

This Saturday evening at Menangle sees the finals of New South Wales Breeders Challenge Series and some outstanding pacers are engaged, some looking to enhance their prospects for the $1.5 million Eureka on 21 November.

The two and three year old finals are all Group 1 status carrying $150,000 in stakemoney while the four year old finals are Group 3 and worth $50,000.

Boom colt Loucasso faces his toughest task when he takes on the three year colts and geldings final. Drawn out in eight if the emergencies come out his logical danger would be last week’s other impressive heat winner Yottie who will come in three. Alert Bay will also won’t be far behind. Loucasso retains his favouritism for the Eureka but Yottie and Alert Bay will issue strong claims for a Eureka spot if they succeed.

Outstanding local filly Ark Sea is favourite in the three year old fillies division and is drawn the inside of Queensland challenger Stripes who looked most impressive in her heat win. Fake Friends is sure to display early speed while Eye Wish won’t be far away although she has drawn awkwardly.

Local two year old Birdsong has displayed enough brilliance in her heat win to be considered the favourite for the fillies division but she faces a formidable opponent from the Victorian Comeandsee whose only previous defeat was a fourth in the Protostar at Albion Park last July.

The classic bred Don Hunter stands out in the two year old colts and geldings division and his main danger would appear to be the vastly improved colt Disturbance from the Blake Fitzpatrick stable.

Both four year old divisions are open events. The main prospects in the entires and geldings division are likely to be the heat winners Forever On The Punt and Wicked Wizard but Double Lou who is already a finalist in the Eureka looks well suited from the pole.

In the mares race Gunna Reload looked sharp winning her heat and from barrier two will be thereabouts while Smirkin Serene and Our Special Memory are also drawn to run well.

The other highlight at Menangle is the appearance of Swayzee who if all goes to plan will be flying out to New Zealand on Sunday in an attempt to win his third New Zealand Cup.

He showed a welcome return to form last week going 1.48.9 and should be better suited over the 2300 metre journey.

At Hobart on Saturday night there is the running of the $75,000 Group 2 Woodlands Stud Dandy Patch Final and the main issue is whether the capable Bettor Than Ready of winner of four races to date can win coming off the inside of the second row. Buildthemanastatue is racing in good form as is Pogacar.

The Woodlands Stud Evicus Final for fillies sees the heat winner Kooky coming up against the runner up Razzmatazz with most of the other runners having at least a place chance.

On Friday night at Gloucester Park the highlight is the $200,000 Group 1 Garrards WA Derby and this looks to be a battle between Im Stealthy and Havetimeformiki. A fortnight ago Im Stealthy led all the way with Havetimeformiki running an outstanding race facing the breeze for a close second. Im Stealthy has the barrier draw advantage but if Havetimeformiki has an easier run he’ll run a mighty race.

The other feature is the return of iron veteran Minstrel in the Garrards Free For All who is being prepared for another crack at the $450,000 Group 1 Tabtouch WA Pacing Cup on 11 December. He’ll clash with his arch nemesis Magnificent Storm. Greg and Skye Bond in addition to Minstrel will also have their latest star We Walk By Faith and promising up and comer Golden Lode so this will be seen as strong pointer to the Cup itself to be run in six weeks time.

The feature Victorian meeting is on Sunday at Maryborough with a ten event program exclusively for trotters and highlighted by two Group 1 features namely the $60,000 Aldebaran Park Redwood Classic for two year olds from the stand and the $75,000 Yabby Dam Farms Victoria Trotters Derby.

Verbici who has won all of his eight starts to date looks the one to beat in the Redwood Classic. Regal Gala who’s drawn the pole is as honest as they come while Phoenix Rex has plenty of ability when he puts his best foot forward. An interesting runner is the New South Wales filly Arete Virtue who won the $75,000 Yabby Dam Farms two year old classic at Menangle coming from well back.

The Trotters Derby is a wide open race with at least four chances namely Howdy Mate, Munny The Munster, Kyvalley Ray and The Preacher as all of these trotters have won features in the past. With a 2690 metre distance it will be a true staying test.

 

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink