It was two seasons ago when the slippery sprinter Swimming Goat won the sprinters Group 1 double within the same season. This Sunday afternoon another slippery sprinter will attempt to emulate that outstanding feat. Sir Duggie is his name and just like the Goat, he is strongly favoured to achieve the distinction.
Pictured: Swimming Goat after his 2017 Railway Sprint victory which provided him with the Sprinters Group 1 double
Sir Duggie ($1.90 – TAB Final Field) has been treating his short course sprint rivals with utter contempt and on Sunday the Lisa Cole prepared sprinter is seeking to extend his current winning streak out to ten consecutive wins in the $30,000 Qualified Pet Services Railway Sprint final.
It has been his electric first sectionals that has been setting up his slick sprints. We saw that when he put an early gap on his rivals from trap eight in his quick 18.23s heat win last Sunday. The only concern surrounding his claims on Sunday is his trap five draw. That slight worry potentially comes from the finalist who has drawn the four trap, as he tends to turn right when leaving the traps. But it is likely Duggie should be off and gone by then.
“Duggie is really in the zone at the moment – his quick first sectionals keeps on winning races for him. We expect him to use his normal electric tactics from trap five on Sunday. He pulled up great from last Sunday,” suggested Brendon Cole.
Cole has qualified three finalists. Kennelmate Bigtime Pete ($6) has done nothing wrong in his three Manukau 318m sprints where he has produced two seconds, then his smart 18.24s heat win last week. The key to the claims that the Manawatu 23.15s 410m track record holder holds in the final is his race start. There is no doubt about the power he has in the back end of his sprints – it’s what he does at the jump from trap seven that will decide his fate.
“Pete is an exciting up and coming chaser. He can give this field a shake if he jumps on terms with them – you don’t set track records unless you own sheer pace. This fella has that. He’s all set to go again on Sunday,” stated Cole
Bigtime Wendle ($4.50) couldn’t have drawn a better trap out in the eight for her racing style. She owns both pace and strength in her sprints, plus she’ll maintain a straight racing line from out there. She resumed from a spell to deliver her 18.42s heat win for Cole as the kennel aims to train their third Railway Sprint winner.
“We expect Wendle to improve from her heat as she was fresh going into that. She will mind her own business out in the eight trap – she’s beautifully boxed there. She pulled up great from her heat,” added Cole.
The Cole kennel also provides the first reserve with Bigtime Caleb ($21), who finished solidly to snatch his 2.5 length heat second behind Kiwi Boy when he was making his track debut outing. Take a look at him in the race 5 AGRC Invitation Sprint if he isn’t required here.
The four Lisa Cole Qualified Pet Services Railway Sprint contenders (from left): Sir Duggie, Bigtime Pete; Bigtime Wendle; Bigtime Caleb
What a marvellous training effort that local conditioners Jared Udy and Denise Cottam produced to qualify their two Railway finalists. Firstly Kiwi Boy ($9) stylishly won his heat in 18.55s in his first race since the injury he sustained in his 295m Galaxy Sprint semi final back in November. He delivered that from his favoured trap eight – on Sunday he is required to jump from trap four.
“It is very pleasing to see him back racing. We didn’t really know how forward he was as he had just the one trial leading into his heat. I can tell you we are real very happy to be there on Sunday and he has pulled up one hundred percent. His race fitness will be the key – we’re not worried about his draw,” confirmed Udy.
Alex Attack ($31) was the runner up in last year’s Railway Sprint final and it was a magnificent training feat by the partners to return their charge to contest this year’s edition. Alex was bold when he led the chase after the slick Sir Duggie and he refused to flinch when he finished 4.5 lengths astern of him. He wore the green racing vest then and he’ll be wearing the same colour on Sunday.
“Alex obviously knows what time of the year it is! I’ve never seen him jump like that. Hey it’s awesome he’s made the final again he’s pulled up great. What will be will be on Sunday, but I can tell you the old boy has a real spring in his step at the moment,” suggested Udy.
Looming as a sound podium finishing sprinter is the Marcie Flipp prepared Idol Nifty ($12) who has stylishly won both of his Manukau 318m sprints including his 18.45s heat victory. He was real sharp when he produced his prior 18.24s 318m track debut win. This Group 2 Dash For Cash third place getter has drawn to make his presence felt from trap two.
“When I saw he drew the two trap I was rapt. He has been racing super up there and I couldn’t be happier with him with what he has been doing – he’s going great. He’s having a quiet week at home and he’s spot on to go again on Sunday,” said Flipp.
Just One Smile ($21) has been a real competitive Manukau 318m sprinter for a long time now for his conditioner Ben Craik. She owns the ability to contest the pace which is an asset she must use from trap three in the final after she was real gallant when she was sighted pressing on soundly for her two length heat second to Idol Nifty.
“We’re thrilled for her and for her owners that she has made a Group 1 final. At least she has the track experience in the field (38 318m sprints). That experience can count if others gets into trouble. We’ve given her an easy week and she’s all set to go on Sunday.” Said Lisa Craik.
Young Foxton trainers Jake and Dazye Bell are ecstatic in having qualified their first ever Group 1 finalist when their sprinter Justa Gift ($21) kicked on boldly for her 3.5 length heat second to Bigtime Pete. She has recently charged through the grades and her trainers are rapt that she has drawn the ace trap. She has won all three of her previous races when sighted wearing the red racing vest.
“She’s a very good sprinter and her draw gives her a top three chance. Look if she pings out and there’s a little bit of trouble in behind her, then yes she can feature. She has been electric from the one trap before. We are very proud to have qualified her for a Group 1 final and she has pulled up awesome. She’s good, really good going into Sunday,” said Bell.
Justa Gift’s litter sister is seeking to provide the siblings with an unique trans-Tasman Group 1 double as She’s Gifted will contest the A$550,000 Australian Cup final over 525m on the Melbourne based the Meadows track on Saturday night.
The second reserve On The Quest ($31) is provided from the Ross and Lynne Udy local kennels. They have quickly guided this bloke up through the grades, reaching open class status two races ago. He is owned by Ross’s daughter Lana and he was gallant when he produced his 6.25 length heat second to Bigtime Wendle. He will contest the race 5 AGRC Invitation Sprint if he doesn’t regain this field.
Qualified Pet Services Railway Sprint finalists (from left): Kiwi Boy; Alex Attack; Idol Nifty; Just One Smile; Justa Gift; On The Quest
By Peter Fenemor
