The Group 3 Goulburn Workers Club Fireball final is always a great spectacle. Here’s our preview of the feature, including our tip to take home the $25,000 winners cheque:
Augustus Finch | Anthony Azzopardi
Best Goulburn 350m Time: 19.51
Track & Distance Record: 1: 1-0-0
Box 1 History: 5: 1-2-1
Ladbrokes Price: $2.40
Final Thought: Anthony Azzopardi could have a great day with the favourite in both the Fireball and Cup. Augustus Finch was the fastest preliminary winner over the 350m (replay below) and it was all the more impressive considering it was the dog’s first race start at the track. If he begins like he did last week, Box 1 is a huge plus and considering he’s a litter brother to Cup fancy, Hotel Whisky One, he should be strong to the line. Only missed the frame five times in 28 starts so will be hard to beat.
Ladbrokes Price: $3.70 Final Thought: Second favourite for the race and based off last week, his only chance was drawing inside Augustus Finch...but that hasn’t happened. That said, his track and trip PB puts him in the mix and being from the Braddon kennel – who have targeted this race in recent times – he is a definite threat. Has experience on his side with seven starts at Goulburn and importantly, his Box 2 record is immaculate. Has finished in the quinella in 13 of his last 14 starts.
Blazing Ferrero is a 16-time winner for trainers Paul and Pam Braddon
Nangar Archie | Caitlyn Brewer
Best Goulburn 350m Time: 20.03
Track & Distance Record: 1: 0-1-0
Box 3 History: 8: 2-3-1
Ladbrokes Price: $12 Final Thought: Out of masters grade and into the fire-ball for Nangar Archie and he’s going to find it tough as the slowest qualifier in a race full of pace. A heat time of 20.03 won’t cut it but that his first look and he did lead last week for a long time before being overrun in the shadows of the post by All On Mum. Box 3 makes the task easier but he’ll start double figures and will probably find this too difficult despite winning three of his last five.
Nangar Archie is the most experienced dog in the race and will be having start 63 for Caitlyn Brewer in the final
Zip Out Zipper | Jason Magri
Best Goulburn 350m Time: 19.73
Track & Distance Record: 1: 1-0-0
Box 4 History: 4: 0-2-0
Ladbrokes Price: $4.60 Final Thought:
The reigning Richmond Cannonball champion has been a ripper for Jason Magri and was good last week without blowing us away. Can only think she will improve and despite a tough draw, she’s a proven winner with 18 victories in 30 starts. Rarely runs a bad race and she has great early speed that will thrust her into contention. The 350m start can be tricky at Goulburn so being away from the fence isn’t the worst spot to be early doors and she’d be the best of the Magri hopes.
Got home late over Nangar Archie in a moderate time of 19.98 in the heats. Hit the line powerfully but was expected to considering she was coming back from 520m racing to the 350m trip. Has been racing over 400 or further since November last year so should go better on Friday cops a tough draw and has speed all around.
A Thunderbolt semi-finalist earlier this year after winning his way through the Wagga Wagga portion of the series and continued his growth at Goulburn with a maiden win in start number four at the track. His time of 19.86 was far better than the 19.98, 20.10 and 20.20 efforts he dished up in the weeks prior to the Fireball but with a flying section, he could lead them up to the bend. Not the strongest in the field but the former WA product is a real short course specialist.
Is probably the best roughie in the race considering he ran 19.61 at the track two weeks ago. The heat run of 19.90 was fine but once he lost the rail, he had to work off the heels of Mashle Wave and couldn’t quite pick him up on the line. I think Box 7 will suit as he did jump right out of the lids last week and he won’t have to jostle with Mashle Wave for the inside or the front in the early stages. Double figures is juicy for a kennel that usually bobs up in big races at Goulburn with a good one (Slingshot Rusty ran second in the Fireball two years ago).
All Up Jimmy with connections
Aussie’s Thunder | Andrew Hunter
Best Goulburn 350m Time: 19.75
Track & Distance Record: 12: 3-6-2
Box 8 History: 7: 3-1-0
Ladbrokes Price: $6.50 Final Thought:
Box 8 hasn’t ever produced a winner in the Fireball but it’s not the worst place to be at the 350m start. Aussie’s Thunder is a fast dog and he seems to be racing with confidence after winning three on the bounce heading into the series. Just seemed to get off balance in behind Zip Out Zipper on occasion seven days ago and once he found clean air in the home straight, he nearly nailed the leader at the post. Think he’s a chance to sneak into the multiples and his Goulburn form is impressive.
Tips 1. Augustus Finch
2. Blazing Ferrero
4. Zip Out Zipper
7. All Up Jimmy
Previous winners:
2023 Packham Silk | Anthony Azzopardi
2022 Apollo Speed | Lisa Worthy
2021 Father Rick | Ray Webster
2020 On The Rocks | Donna Campell
2019 Sweet City Woman | Ray Holt
2018 Myrniong And All | Anthony Azzopardi
2017 Expressive | Craig Chappelow
The Goulburn Workers Club Fireball final is worth $25,000 to the winner and will go off in Race 6 on Friday’s card.
