Heat victory boosts confidence ahead of Championship

FIVE quality Club Menangle Winter Championship heats were conducted last Saturday night which resulted in strong performances from all winners.

Of the victors it was the Bathurst pacer Holy Camp Dillon which caught the eye with his last-to-first performance, storming home in a slick 57.5-second last half to secure a narrow win from Ultimate Force.

It was Holy Camp Dillon’s Club Menangle debut which added merit to the victory, leaving trainer Anthony Frisby excited about the gelding’s future.

“He has always shown an abundant amount of talent,” Frisby explained.

“The horse has only been here for a month and has impressed me immensely since coming from Robert and Clive Anderson’s stable at Grenfell.”

Before joining Frisby’s stable, the five-year-old completed consecutive wins for the Andersons, giving Frisby an ideal foundation to build on ahead of metropolitan racing.

“My dad Chris and I have enjoyed good success training horses for the Andersons,” Frisby said.

“They have well-bred stock which have great manners and are always fit to race when we get them.

“Going into last Saturday night’s race I knew we had the form to be right in the race, however, I was a little concerned over the fact he had not yet seen the track.

“He is a genuine racehorse which can adapt to any condition and that has made my job a lot easier.

“I guess the most impressive facet for me was the way he let down late.

“When we went past the cages leaving the back, he was giving the leader at least 20 metres start so I thought at best we might be able to snare a placing, but he really attacked the line savagely.”

To Frisby’s dismay, Holy Camp Dillion faces a difficult task from barrier eight in the $30,600 Final.

TAB Fixed Odds have reacted by listing Holy Camp Dillion on the fourth line of betting at $8.

In a wide open affair, Spirit Of Anzac is the $3.60 favourite from gate three.

Away from Menangle’s program, Frisby has three drives in Bathurst tonight and on paper it appears he has some solid chances.

Frisby’s best winning prospect is in race seven where he will combine with the Ben Settree-trained filly Our Redemption.

Our Redemption will be first-up finishing second in a Gold Tiara Consolation in March, but recently won a trial in Bathurst by a big margin.

• MICHAEL DUMESNY