Flash Jet ($2.25 with Ladbrokes) has had this series on the bulletin board for a while and after drawing Box 8 in his semi-final, he looks most likely to advance. Trialled at the track last Sunday in 19.73 and arrives in the Northern Rivers with four wins from his last five starts. His only defeat in that period came at the hands of Badger’s Beast who destroyed a Grafton heat field last week when running 19.57. Great form and should get a clear run from out wide. Maura Figgis ($6) has attracted some market support after opening at $9 and qualified through the Gosford series behind My Monroe. No race experience at Grafton but has won six of her last eight including a couple at the very similar Maitland circuit. Raging Zeal ($9.50) trialled well last weekend in 19.79 and importantly, went fairly quick early with a 4.07 first split. Has raced up the Richmond Straight in 11 of his 14 starts this year but has run time at Bulli in the past and is a reliable type. Mark To Market ($3.10) should fly out and with a key scratching outside him, he could lead this field early on. Group 1 Derby finalist over 520m so should be strong to the line on a testing Grafton straight.
Badger’s Beast ($2.50) is our number one seed for the series after his destructive heat performance a week ago but surprisingly he’s the second elect in this contest. His time of 19.57 was the second fastest ever recorded over 350m at Grafton and that was his first race day experience at the track. Box 4 is a little bit sticky but with all the pace drawn inside him in, he could get a great cart into the contest. Looking to build on his runner-up finish in the recent Straight Of Origin. Serial Sticker ($2) comes through the Goulburn leg of the series where he was a strong 19.62 winner and is the Ladbrokes favourite at the moment. He put a couple of lengths on Be Wowed, who has talent, in his first appearance in NSW and he’s got the Sultana/Thomas polish heading into semi-final night. Fusion Mint ($9) roared back to the track with a tough win at Dubbo over a speedy type in Fortified. The reigning Maitland Cup winner was having her first run in three months last weekend and as long as she bounced out of it OK, she will go forward early and put herself in the race. Where’s Fernando ($8.50) is stiff to run into the aforementioned three and is an unlucky fourth pick in a stacked race. He broke 19 at Bulli to knock off Raging Zeal in the regional qualifier and has form around Flash Jet and Badger’s Beast.
Man Of Zeal ($5.50) on top in the most open semi-final. He didn’t trial as well as the kennelmate last Sunday but still managed to go 19.99 in his first look at the place. Will appreciate being drawn close to the fence and with the early favourite, Black Bronti, scratching from Box 2, Man Of Zeal becomes the pick. Glen Goodwin said he came up with the lids in his trial and a repeat of first section of 4.13 won’t be good enough to lead so he’ll need to find a length or so early. It’s easy to forget Harmony Fire ($4.20) is a Group 1 Dapto Megastar runner up behind arguably the best dog in the country in Good Odds Cobber. She has great early burn and was impressive in a 19.87 win at Goulburn in the qualifiers. Neil Staines has freshened her up to target this race and she has experience at the track after racing in the Thunderbolt semi-finals last year as well. Crazed ($3.10) can run a drum (four straight second placings) and has stepped out over 520m at Wenty Park since qualifying through Richmond back on June 4. Will be fit and the wide draw is OK at Grafton. Shrewd Ethics ($6.50) is honest without being spectacular. Plenty of experience on the U-turns at Goulburn and Bulli but will have pressure on her outside from the get go.
Man Of Zeal is a son of Feral Franky x Oriental Zeal
A race decimated by three scratching’s so Be Wowed ($2.70) deserves to be favourite from the inside draw. Was pretty solid behind Serial Sticker in the heats and did run 19.47 at Goulburn four starts back. The son of Wow has been up and down in distance over his career but 350m at Grafton on a big track should be right up his alley. Divorce Source ($3.70) is one of the most experienced dogs at Grafton with 36 track and trip starts for 15 wins and eight minors. He’s a 19.77 dog at his best (that only came five starts back) and he’s won five of his last six starts. My Monroe ($4.80) will be trying to win a second Thunderbolt for Sue Smith and John Miles but has a tricky box to contend with. Qualified through Gosford but has raced at Grafton since for an OK win in 20.16. Goes fast early but needs to find a few lengths. Rushforth Ally ($11) suddenly goes from being a second reserve to a red hot chance in this race and here’s a few reasons why. He’s the current track record holder over the Grafton 350m in 19.52, he’s had 38 starts at the track and trip for 16 wins and 12 placings, and he ran second in this race to Vamoose two years back. Long in the tooth now but still a threat depending on his draw.
Be Wowed has won 10 of 29 starts for Ruth and Dani Matic
The semi-finals of the Ladbrokes Thunderbolt commence in Race 5 (6:24pm) on Sunday at Grafton and the first two from each will advance to the $40,000 final at Grafton on Saturday, June 21.
