Raider firms as $150,000 Final favourite

A PHENOMENAL run and perfect draw have earned Titian Raider favouritism for next week’s New South Wales Breeders’ Challenge Final.

Winner of his last six starts, including a semi-final at Club Menangle tonight, Titian Raider will begin from the pole in the Group One decider.

The $150,000 Final is part of a sensational card at the world class venue.

Thrilled with the three-year-old’s latest performance, trainer Harry Martin is cautiously confident ahead of Titian Raider’s pending assignment.

“He’s going well…he’s a good boy,” Martin said. “I couldn’t be happier with the way he is racing.

“He is in peak condition and will be ready to go again for the Final.

“I’m thrilled with draw as it gives him every chance.

“The only problem is the more you win, the closer you are to being beaten…I just hope it’s not next week.”

Driven by Glenn McElhinney, Titian Raider led throughout from barrier three to score by two-and-a-half metres from defending champion, Bar Room Banta.

Braedos Lad was eight metres away third.

“After he got to the front he was always going to be hard to beat,” Martin said. “Glenn kept the speed on, which made it hard for Bar Room Banta on his outside.”

Covering the mile in 1:50 – less than a second outside the Australasian record – Titian Raider’s time was five-tenths of a second quicker than Captain Crusader in the following semi.

Trained and driven by Rickie Alchin, Captain Crusader completed a soft 12-and-a-half metre win from Lyrical Genius, with Pops Boy five metres away third.