Lagogiane Launching Into Futurity Finale

15:00 29 January 2026
GRNSW News
Magical Ang was the fastest winner of last weekend's NSW GBOTA National Futurity heats and trainer Peter Lagogiane believes she needs to begin as brilliantly on Saturday night if she is to overcome box six in the final.

Lagogiane also has Hotshot Lily in box three in the final but rates Magical Ang his better chance because of her early dash.


"I'm a bit concerned about Blue Labubu being outside Magical Ang in box seven because she went very quick early before finishing second in her heat.

"But to me the real danger is the Jodie and Andy Lord-trained Magic Bandit, who has box one.

"She had box six when a distant second in her heat but her run was enormouos.''

Andy Lord said: "Magic Bandit just needs to get a nice sit behind the pacemakers early because she is very strong and is boxed to win if she is good enough.


"She has clocked 29.50 at WP and after her form tapered off for a while recently, she is back on track to repeating that fast time again.''

Like Peter Lagogiane, trainer Minnie Finn has two Futurity finalists, Winsome Josie in box five and Before The Dawn in eight.

Before The Dawn was more impressive in the heats but Finn said: "There's two of her, it all depends on which one turns up on Saturday night.

Before The Dawn with Charlee Barnes after her Futurity heat win

"Realistically I'm racing for luck on Saturday, the same as in the Derby final where I have Winsome Storm in box five.

"The draw doesn't matter much to him though because he usually flops out of the boxes.''

FREIGHT Express won his heat of the NSW GBOTA National Derby despite an "imperfect preparation" and connections believe he can go better in Saturday night's group one final at Wentworth Park.

Last week the Carole Eaton owned and trained Freight Express led all the way from box three, covering the 520m in 29.95.

Although King Of Gods at 29.60, Red Rock Razzle (29.80) and Wyndra All Heart (29.82) were quicker heat winners, Freight Express posted easily the fastest first split of 5.40, indicating he is the likely pacemaker on Saturday.


Eaton paid Freight Express the ultimate compliment, saying: "He is right up there with La Grand Logie, the best greyhound Carole and I have had.''

La Grand Logie won 27 races and $111,000 from 2014 to 2017.

Second fastest qualifier for the first section in the heats was Zipping Columbus, who record 5.46 before leading throughout in 30.11.

The Victorian has the prized rails box in the final and trainer Matt Lanigan said: "In a group race it's always nice to get box one.

"I watched the heats closely and Late In Winter, who has box two, has good early speed but ran straight from the boxes to the first turn so hopefully he won't crowd Zipping Columbus.

"Before the heats the only time Zipping Columbus had seen WP was in a box-to-box trial a week earlier and he bungled the start completely.

"So when he jumped in front to win his heat that was a pleasant surprise.''

Best bet on Saturday should be the Lord kennel's Distinction, who had box one when third in Ritza Tiana's heat of the National Futurity last week.

She has box one in Saturday's 520m WP Sports Bar Stakes and Andy Lord said: "Distinction had never seen WP before the Futurity heats and I reckon that cost her the race.

"Her run was still terrific and I think she will win on Saturday.''

Best Bet: Distinction (Race 5)

Best Value: Freight Express (Race 7)

Quaddie
Race 5 - 2, 7, 1
Race 6 - 1, 6, 7
Race 7 - 6, 3, 1
Race 8 - 1, 6
$20 for 37.03%