Texas Bandit (2) looks the most obvious in the maiden final after a dominant 29.69 win on debut in the heats. The son of Feral Franky x Coast Model flew early (5.43) and a repeat of that from Box 2 should easily put him on the arm. Zipping Urban (6) has had the three race starts already and was a finalist in the Dave Brett Memorial maiden at The Q last month. He’s another promising son of Wow and should get a nice cart into the race on the back of fast starter Tiggerlong Snow. Towering Luke (8) broke 30 in the heats in his first race start at the track and can run a drum. While Bandit Barb (3) could be the big improver after finding trouble at every turn in her first two starts.
Zipper On Time (1) has been almost unbeatable to start her career. She notched up win number nine in the heats last week with a new PB of 29.45 and has never lost in seven starts at Wenty Park. Her bulletproof first section (average 5.41) combined with her Box 1 draw make her the overwhelming favourite. Shaq Keeping (3) is the most experienced dog in the race with 22 starts. He has no early pace but could find his way to the fence behind the speed in Boxes 1, 2 and 5. Notched a 29.55 effort here three starts back and hasn’t missed the top three in six runs. Winsome Rambo (5) is from one of the hottest litters going around and is building an imposing record (10: 6-2-0). Minnie Finn will have him wound up and he will be vying for the lead early. And He’s A Pearl (8) has jumped a lot better in his last two starts and could enjoy the wide draw.
Shake It Off (2) completely bombed the start in the heats but it was a pretty good run to overcome traffic and finish third behind Zadie Bale. She’s a 23-time winner already with nearly $120K in the bank and despite an average record at Wenty Park (4: 0-0-1), she looks the value in the race at $6. She’s won four from seven starts from Box 2 and could surprise. Mepunga Smokey (3) hasn’t put a paw wrong in her two runs in Sydney this campaign. Under the watchful eye of Al Proctor on behalf of Jeff Britton, she trialled 29.45 before the series began and backed it up with a 29.58 race win. Father Rick (1) is a marvel and will be going around for 111th time on Friday. Think he prefers wider draws but he did run 29.66 at track and trip six weeks ago. And Zadie Bale (4) has been targeted at the race for some time and could be flashing home if the 1, 2 and 3 cut at each other throughout the race.
Cumbria Jack had his chance to qualify for the big dance but he couldn’t quite reel in My Boy Bingo in the semi-finals. He gets an identical draw in the Consolation but this field is far stronger. There is speed in 3, 4 and 8 so any mistake at box rise could cost him the race but he’s the joint track record holder and usually begins well at Wenty Park. Both Bowers Ace (1) is as honest as the day is long. 111 starts for 29 wins and a remarkable 58 placings, this bloke will enjoy the rails run behind the early pace and will almost certainly run into the money. Intrepid Bale (5) was an eye-catching run behind Zipping Ariel in the semi-finals and he’s now had a couple of looks at Wenty. Will relish the early speed in the race and if they get in each other’s way up front, he will be flashing home. Speedy Pie (8) led for a long way last week and was pretty stiff to get run down by Daysea’s Rory. Her wide draw record is great (10: 6-2-1) and she will enjoy an uninhibited run into the first turn.
Without A Trace (3) was simply stunning in the heats last week. She ran 41.35 in her first look at the track and no other dog in the field has ever run quicker than 41.60. She only needs to run close to that effort and she should win, especially if she can jump well again. If she handles the travel and doesn’t get overawed by the moment, she’s one of the best bets on the card. Late Night News (7) loves racing at Wenty and has won eight times from 14 starts in town. Trainer Caroline Hughes seems to like him boxed out wide but he’s never won in seven starts from Box 7 and it feels like he’s been up and going for a long time now. Could get carted into the contest if Firethorn jumps like she normally does though. Ayden’s Warrior (1) needs to lead to win. He showed that two back in his first win over the staying trip and he improved by three lengths again last week in the heats. Drawn to run well and bred to stay. And Alakazam (9) gets a run with the scratching of Suribachi. He was pretty good for 650m in the heats and will take a stack of improvement out of that run which was his first for a month.
