Will Eagle Upset Bandit?

08:00 18 June 2025
GRNSW News
Black Axe Bandit, the first of the She's A Pearl offspring to race, won brilliantly on debut at Wentworth Park last week but faces his big test there on Thursday night.

The Jodie Lord-trained youngster has box seven in the Ladbrokes Sports Bar 1-2 wins 520m fifth grade, and is up against highly promising Wentworth Park newcomers Intrepid Eagle (box one, pictured above) and Magpie Hector (box eight).

Last Thursday, Black Axe Bandit began smartly from box eight and wasn't headed, stopping the clock in a slick 29.88 and winning by five lengths.

This week's race is much harder as Intrepid Eagle led throughout in a best of the night 22.54 over 401m at Richmond on June 8 when resuming from a spell.

Magpie Hector clocked 25.51, sensational time for a maiden, in his 457m debut win at Temora on May 14 before a luckless third there on May 21.

Wayne Bradley, who trains Intrepid Eagle for Brian Jaggers, part-owner of former top notcher Jungle Deuce, said: "While this dog has not been tried over 520m I think he will run it out.

"He is a nice young pup and providing he gets out of the box cleanly, the opposition will know he is there for a long way.''

Magpie Hector's trainer Jack Smith, who prepared Jungle Deuce during his star-studded career on the track, said: "I'm not sure how he will handle box eight because he is still learning.

"But Magpie Hector does not have a lot of early speed so he is probably better off out there than being on the rails where he could get chopped off in the early stages.

"He has had a look at Wenty but only in a hand-slip.''

Thursday night's 720m event, the Ladbrokes Same Race Multi 0-4 wins mixed stakes, is an intriguing affair with promising stayers Suribachi (box two) and Starfire Tears (box five) set to clash.

Suribachi was desperately unlucky when placed in each of three 520m races at Wentworth Park before a fast finishing second over 600m at Dapto last Thursday night.

Starfire Tears has won three of her past four races, over 515m at The Gardens and 515m at Gosford, finishing powerfully on each occasion.

Suribachi's trainer Ruth King said: "The way she ran home at Dapto last week she gives the impression she will run out 720m.

"I'm relieved Suribachi has finally drawn an inside box, because she is a mad railer and has had boxes four, six or eight in each of her 11 races.

"I gave her a 400m 'blow out' trial at Appin on Tuesday morning which should top her off nicely for Thursday night.''

Michael Ivers, trainer of Starfire Tears, said: "My bitch trialled well over 603m at Gosford last Friday but I'm not sure how strong she will be at the end of 720m.

"Over the years I've seen plenty of dogs which look like they will run 720m and they just can't get that extra 100m.''

Ivers also has Starfire Tears' well performed litter brother Great Terms returning to Wentworth Park in the 520m fifth grade Ladbrokes Blackbook Stakes, and with a personal best time of a near record 29.26, he is clearly the fastest dog in the race.

Michael Ivers said: "If Great Terms gets left alone early and finds a clear run I expect him to run down the opposition.

"He is going well and I'm very happy seeing him drawn near the rails in box two.''

Great Terms has won four of his five races after starting from boxes one and two.

Great Terms


Frances Goodwin took out Monday's $7000 to the winner Loyalty Plate at Nowra with Zipping Trucker, a buy from top owner-breeder Marty Hallinan, and can win Thursday's Battlers Stakes with Zipping Zodiac, another Hallinan purchase.

Zipping Zodiac is a slow beginner but is well positioned in box two, with Nicko Ace, a wide runner, drawn in three.

Best Bet Great Terms (race 9)
Best Value Suribachi (race 5)

Quaddie
Race 5 - 2, 5
Race 6 - 1, 6, 8
Race 7 - 4, 1, 8
Race 8 - 6, 1, 5
$20 for 37.03